Edinboro, Pa. -- The Edinboro men's basketball defeated rival Gannon 83-78 in a strong battle on Wednesday night inside McComb Fieldhouse. With the win, Edinboro improves to (6-20) overall.
It was the visiting Golden Knights who jumped out to a quick 8-1 lead early in the first half after a three-pointer from Zach Kent. On the next play down for Edinboro, Kierell Green would counter with a triple of his own.
Gannon continued to pile on the points after Demetrius Mims scored his nineth point of the half on a free throw. The Golden Knights extended their lead to thirteen, as Gannon led 17-4.
Edinboro began to catch fire from deep to cut the Golden Knight deficit down. Jaden Harper hit a deep three-pointer from thirty feet, which was followed by Bryce Spriggs who connected on his own triple. Finally, Naim Miller would join the three-point party with back-to-back triples of his own. Suddenly Edinboro made it a one possession game as they trailed 20-23. Edinboro kept the score close after a huge slam dunk by Green got the crowd off their feet.
With a few minutes until the half, Jack Gallagher would slash to the basket for a tough and-one basket. This gave Edinboro their first lead of the game as they led 35-31.
At the half Edinboro held a 40-35 lead over Gannon.
In the second half Edinboro would score six-consecutive points after a huge dunk from Dominique Keyes increased the Scot's lead to 46-35. Gannon wasn't finished, as they scraped together a convenient 10-0 run to get back within two points after a jumper by Kent.
The Scots would counter right back with a 12-1 run which was highlighted by a deep three-pointer from Green. Edinboro suddenly held another double-digit lead over the Golden Knights. Edinboro's largest lead of the game grew to 17 points after another smooth jumper from Green with 4:54 left in the game.
Gannon was quickly back in the game after another impressive run from the Golden Knights. The 13-2 run was paced by Mims and Kent who helped put Gannon back in reach. With 1:15 to play, a free throw by Kent cut the Edinboro lead to just six points.
With six seconds left a Gannon layup from Evran Cenker would make it a three-point game with Edinboro still ahead. After a Gannon foul, Miller would convert on two free throws to ice the game for Edinboro.
Keyes finished with another monster double-double consisting of 18 points and 17 rebounds. Miller followed him with 16 points and four assists. Green added in his own double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
Edinboro will be back in action on Saturday when they host Clarion for Senior Day at 3:00 p.m.
