(Posted January 15, 2010)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. - Alex Raymond (Hollidaysburg, Pa./Altoona) nailed a three pointer for Juniata College with 4:45 remaining to take the lead for good and help lift Head Coach Greg Curley to his men's basketball program record tying 103rd victory as they beat the University of Scranton, 63-56, Friday night inside the Kennedy Sports + Recreation Center.

The Eagles had three players in double digits led by senior Jeff Berkey (Stoystown, Pa./Shanksville-Stoneycreek) who had a game high 20 points, hitting five shots from beyond the arc. Raymond finished with 17 points while senior Ryan Jones (Coudersport, Pa./Coudersport) chipped in with 13 points and seven rebounds.

Juniata (7-8, 2-2 Landmark) started off sizzling as it opened up an 11 point lead as Berkey sank his third three of the first half with 4:39 left to play. But, the Royals closed the half on a 14-4 run that cut the Eagles advantage to 26-25 heading into the locker room.

The second half featured six lead changes and two ties as both teams battled in a tightly defensive minded ball game. The Eagles scored the first five points of the final half to take a six-point lead, but Scranton (8-7, 2-2 Landmark) took its biggest lead at four one a three from Travis Farrell, 6:02 into the half.

However, the Royals squandered the lead and finally saw the Eagles take the lead for good on Raymond's second three of the game. From there, the Eagles went up as many as seven points with just under three minutes to play before free-throws down the stretch settled into the final score.

Each team forced 14 turnovers, but Juniata put 19 points on the board off of the Royals' mistakes. They also out rebounded Scranton, 35-30. Nate Higgins (St. Mary's, Pa./ Elk County Catholic) swiped a season high seven boards.

The Juniata defense held Scranton to 7-24 shooting in the first half, and only allowed 18 attempts in the second half. For the game, the Royals shot 16-42, good enough for a 38.1 percent.

The Eagles' numbers are not much impressive, except for the fact that they buried 5-7 from downtown in the second half, hitting 8 of 19 for the game. For the game, they shot 20-51.

The win ties Curley with Arnold "Doc" Greene as the all-time leader in wins for the program. Greene served at the helm of the program from the 1949-50 season until the end of the 1960-61 season, compiling a 103-131 record.

The Eagles are now 9-31 in the all-time series against Scranton, and will face them again on the road on February 13.

Juniata continues its schedule at home tomorrow, Saturday, February 16, against Landmark Conference foe, Moravian College. Tip off is slated for 4:00 p.m.

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Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.