The men’s basketball team’s season-opener against Susquehanna at the Stokes Center on Nov. 6 was a first look at the team in the Division III era.
Even though the result was a 101-93 loss, SFU definitely delivered fans some hope for the future last Friday night.
Senior guard Trey Weiand gave the crowd a lot to cheer about, scoring a career-high 23 points. He sank three three-pointers and added seven rebounds.
“We played very hard,” said SFU head coach Luke McConnell.
In the first half, the Red Wolves looked like they could pick up a win in their opener, but it seemed like every time they got something going, the Riverhawks had an answer.
The Red Wolves (0-1) closed the first half on a 5-0 run to trim Susquehanna’s advantage to five, 45-40, at the intermission.
Susquehanna (1-0) came out of the locker room and mounted a quick run, however, to build a double-digit lead (53-42).
SFU responded. A three-pointer by Mason Douglas, a three-point play from Taurean Consiglio, another trey from Jovanny Philisten and a lay-up by Weiand drew SFU within two, 59-57.
However, the Riverhawks guard tandem of KJ Carson and Bryce Rollerson would keep Saint Francis at bay down the stretch and Susquehanna picked up the eight-point win.
Carson and Rollerson both scored 21 points and Mikey Cumbo came off the bench with 22 points for the Riverhawks.
SFU had five players in double figures (Weiand: 23; Consiglio: 15; Phillistin: 15; Douglas: 11; Carson Rhodes: 10).
The Red Wolves return to action on Nov. 11 at Messiah. The game tips off at 7 p.m.
