Erie, Pa. -- A game-high 25 points from Naim Miller wasn't enough for the Edinboro men's basketball team as they fell to Gannon University 81-71 on Saturday afternoon inside the Highmark Events Center. With the loss, the Fighting Scots fell to (5-14) overall.
In the first five minutes of play the Scots started out slow by shooting two-for-ten from the field. A three-pointer and a layup from Kierell Green had Edinboro trailing Gannon 13-5 with 14:11 remaining in the first half.
Midway through the half the Scots began to find their touch and quickly gained momentum. Miller paved the way for the Scots offense, including ten straight points which was a part of an Edinboro 12-2 run. The run had the Scots in control with a 17-15 lead.
As the first half winded down the Golden Knights strung together a 6-0 run of their own to take back the lead just in time for the break. The run was fueled by Edinboro's foul trouble, Gannon converted on eleven free throws in the final six minutes of the first half. The Scots went into halftime trailing the Knights 44-33.
In the Second half Edinboro would convert from the field at a higher rate than the first half while also outscoring Gannon 38-37 in the final twenty minutes of play. Within the first few minutes of the second half Edinboro would cut the Gannon lead to just seven points. The quick start was produced by Miller and Green who each hit shots for Edinboro.
Seven points was as close as Edinboro got in the second half on Saturday as the Golden Knights used the power of the home crowd to pull away down the stretch.
Gannon attempted seventeen-free throws in the second half to go along with a 54% shooting clip as the Knights closed out the game with an 81-71 final.
Miller paced Edinboro with a game-high 25 points including seven-for-seven from the free-throw line. Dominique Keyes finished with 10 points and a season-high 17 rebounds as he earned another double-double.
Edinboro will be back in action when they host Mercyhurst University on Wednesday (Feb. 1) at 7:30 p.m.
