The Rocket

Issue date: 11/20/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Jeremy Saylor Junior guard Andre Tarver tries to work the ball inside against the Univesity of Pittsburgh's 2-3 zone. Tarver earned 12 points and nine assists in the Rock's home opener.

When senior guard Maurice Douglas drained a 3-pointer to extend the SRU men's basketball team's second half lead to 27, the Green and White looked like the team that won 21 games last season.

Coach Kevin Reynolds wasn't pleased with the effort his team put in during its 88-61 win over Ohio University-Eastern Campus.

"We didn't come out ready to play," he said. "Playing hard is a skill. It's not like a light switch-you just can't turn it on or off."

Last year, the Rock defeated the Panthers, 103-63. This season, the Rock's offense was led by two senior forwards: Jade Burka and Gary Satterwhite.

Both Satterwhite (10 points and 10 rebounds) and Burka (14 points and 12 rebounds) recorded their first double-doubles in their careers at SRU.

Panthers's coach Donnie Madzie said that his team did a good job controlling the Rock's shot selection.

"We forced them to take a lot of shots on the perimeter," he said. "Coming in, we weren't afraid of their size because we knew they were going to be big and athletic. We rebounded OK against them, but they got a lot of second chance baskets."

SRU struggled in the first six minutes of the first half, with the Panthers holding a 16-14 lead with 14:17 left. Douglas hit a 3-pointer with 13:42 left and the Rock never trailed after that point.

Junior forward Maron Brown, who was named preseason first team All-Pennsylvania, didn't play.

"Maron sprained his ankle against Penn State," Reynolds said. "He could have played today, but we decide to rest him."

The Rock struggled to contain the Panthers's offense, allowing the team to shoot 45 percent (13-of-29) from the field. The Rock managed to stay ahead because of a well-rounded attack.

Six Rock players scored in double digits. Senior guard Michael Evans Jr. (14), junior guard Bryen Spriggs (19), senior guard Andre Tarver (12) and Douglas (17), along with Satterwhite and Burka.

Continued...

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