SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. - The Shippensburg men's basketball team opened its contest against Slippery Rock on Saturday afternoon with a 10-0 run and never trailed en route to a decisive 69-48 victory over The Rock that snapped the worst losing streak for the Red Raiders since the 1999-2000 season.

Shippensburg (7-19, 1-10 PSAC West) had lost 11 consecutive games entering the contest, but the team's best defensive effort of the season allowed the Red Raiders to earn their first conference victory since a 72-51 victory at IUP on February 21, 2007, a span of 367 days.

The Red Raiders allowed a season-low 48 points and limited The Rock to its worst shooting performance of the season at 30.4 percent (17-of-56). Slippery Rock did not climb over the 40-point plateau until the 5:02 mark of the second half.

Slippery Rock (7-18, 4-6 PSAC West) came within two points of the lead with 18:10 to play, but a timeout called by coach Dave Springer at the 16:37 mark energized the Red Raiders to score eight consecutive points and cement the lead with a 10-2 run.

Shippensburg also came through at the free-throw line, making 24-of-31 from the charity stripe and recording its most free-throw attempts since the season opener with Alderson-Broaddus. The Red Raiders also maintained a 42-34 rebounding advantage over The Rock.

Four players posted double figures for Shippensburg as red-shirt junior guard Ryan Kraft led all scorers with 18 points and also totaled eight rebounds. Kraft has posted double figures in eight of the team's 11 conference games this season.

Senior guard Alex Jones added 15 points, six rebounds and four assists for the Red Raiders, including one three-pointer. Jones will enter Wednesday's season finale with IUP needing five three-pointers to tie the school record for three-pointers in a season set by Matt Markle in the 1990-91 season.

Freshman guard Justin Minter added 13 points, six rebounds and four blocks to finish the week with a total of 33 points in two games.

Sophomore guard Brian Oleksiak delivered another excellent performance with 10 points, eight rebounds, three assists, two steals and forcing two turnovers by drawing offensive fouls.

Slippery Rock was led by Jamar Scales with 10 points, while Joseph Vines attempted a team-high 12 field goals but made just one of his attempts from the field en route to five points.

Before the game, Shippensburg recognized Jones in a ceremony honoring him for becoming the 27th player in school history to achieve 1,000 career points. Student assistant coach Steve Novosel was also recognized for his four years of service to Red Raider basketball.

The final game of the season for the Red Raiders is this Wednesday night, when Shippensburg hosts Indiana University (Pa.) at Heiges Field House. Game time is set for 8 p.m.

- Red Raider Basketball -