GREENSBURG, Pa. - La Roche found a will and a way on Wednesday night, winning a back-and-forth battle against Pitt-Greensburg, 82-80, keeping its hopes of an AMCC Regular Season Championship alive and well.
From the jump the teasm were traded scores, but it wasn't until 16:12 remaining in the first half, down 9-8, the Redhawks rattled off an 11-0 run to build up a 19-10 edge, the largest of the entire contest.
Past the midway point, the clock reading 7:12, UPG climbed all the way back and even took a 30-28 lead. Neither team would lead by more than two to close the second half, until the final minute, when the Bobcats took a 45-41 lead into the break.
The second half was about clawing back into for the Redhawks, who twice managed to tie the score in the first five minutes, but would see themselves trailing, 59-52, the largest deficit for the red and white on the night, with 13:46 left in regulation.
At 9:22 to go, La Roche finally was able to overtake the lead, 66-64, and over nearly the next three minutes, the score would again be tied, 72-72. The Redhawks would lock down defensively in the game's final 6:36, allowing the Bobcats to hit just three shots the remainder of the game and even used a 6-0 run to push ahead, 80-74, with just over two minutes remaining, helping complete the season sweep of UPG.
For the game, the Redhawks shot 34-for-59 from the field (57.6%), 7-for-18 from three (38.9%) and 7-for-11 from the free-throw line (63.6%).
On the other end, the Bobcats shot 28-for-63 from the floor (44.4%), 10-for-37 from deep (37%) and made 14-of-17 attempts from the charity stripe (82.4%).
Cooper Rankin was the man of the night, as his 21-point night, shooting 10-for-15 from the field, while earning a double-double with 10 rebounds led the way.
Bryce Epps followed with another 20 points, chipping in eight rebounds, three assists and two steals, while Logan Golle netted 17 points.
Rounding out the double-figure order for the Redhawks was Major Rainey, scoring 15 points to go alongside nine rebounds and a pair of blocks.
La Roche now prepares for its final home-game of the season, as they take on Alfred State, Saturday, Feb. 14 at 4 p.m., as part of Senior Day.