MBSK12-3-00

ESU-Slippery Rock Men's Basketball

SLIPPERY ROCK - Shahad Abdur-Rahkman scored 19 points as East Stroudsburg University played two different halves of basketball in beating Slippery Rock, 58-51, Sunday.

The Warriors made only four of 21 shots in the first half for a woeful 19 percent average and were behind, 24-19, at halftime. They turned it around in the second half, connecting on 16 of 24 field goal attempts for a sizzling 67 percent mark and took charge over the last ten minutes.

Rahkman made all six of his shots in the second half and finished seven for ten from the floor and five for six from the foul line. The 6-4 sophomore, last year's PSAC Eastern Division Rookie of the Year, is leading the team with a 14.5 scoring average.

Forward Juwan Justice made four of five shots after intermission and wound up with ten points and six rebounds. Guard R.C. Kehoe contributed 15 points and four assists.

A 15-4 run in the second half broke a 35-35 tie and put the Warriors ahead for keeps. Mike Collins made the go-ahead basket on a layup with 10:08 remaining.

Baskets by Rahkman and Collins upped the margin to six points at 41-35.

Slippery Rock later closed within four points at 43-39, but ESU ran off seven straight points, five by Justice including a three-pointer, to increased the lead to 11 points at 50-39 with 3:44 left.

The Rockets had two double-figures scorers in Dana Cook with 12 points and Montez Briggs with ten.

The win lifted ESU's record to 3-1 with the next five contests at home. The team will play Shippensburg Wednesday at 8 p.m. and then will meet New Haven Friday at 8 p.m. in the first round of the 36th Rotary Pocono Classic. Slippery Rock dropped to 3-3.

Rahkman 7 5-6 19, Justice 4 1-2 10, Kehoe 3 5-6 14, Collins 3 0-0 6, Georges 2 0-2 4, Kostic 1 1-2 3, Bishop 0 0-0 0, Fedorka 0 0-0 0, Kelley 0 0-0 0, Wimmer 0 2-2 2. Totals: 20 14-20 58

Barnett 2 0-0 4, Harvey 2 0-0 5, Warner 5 2-3 12, Cook 3 0-0 7, Byler 3 1-1 7, Briggs 2 4-4 10, Wright 2 0-0 4, Chapman 1 0-0 2. Totals: 20 7-8 51

Three-Point Goals: ESU - Kehoe 3, Justice; SR - Briggs 2, Harvey, Cook

Halftime: Slippery Roclk, 24-19