The Shippensburg University Men's Basketball team stepped up on the defensive end of the court to fend off a tough challenge from the Gannon Golden Knights Monday evening inside Gannon's Highmark Event Center, 60-56.
 
Shippensburg (5-5, 3-1 PSAC) held the Golden Knights to just 30.8-percent shooting after halftime, and scored big baskets when they need them down the stretch to pick up a vital road victory.
 
Graduate Dom Sleva recorded his sixth double-double of the season, registering 18 points and 14 rebounds. Redshirt senior Rashon Johnson also scored 18, including the game-winning basket -- a clutch three to give the Raiders the lead with 2:19 left in the contest.
 
Gannon (0-8, 0-4 PSAC) led by as much as 14 points in the first half and had three chances at a potential tying or game-winning bucket in the final seconds, but an over-and-back violation forced by Shippensburg sophomore guard Satchel Ball during the Golden Knights' final possession allowed the visitors to escape with a four-point win.
 
After a slow start, the Raiders found the right formula just before the half. They did so by relying on their defense to allow them to get out and run in transition. The sped-up pace led to a 10-0 Shippensburg run, punctuated with a vicious, highlight reel dunk over a helpless Gannon defender from Johnson on the break.
 
The run resulted in a 34-28 Gannon advantage at the intermission.
 
The two teams went back and forth in what was a see-saw second half. The Raiders continued their momentum from the first half, overtaking the hosts and building up a 10-point advantage following a Johnson jumper with 6:30 left.
 
Gannon, who's last six losses have been by eight points or less, would not go away quietly. The Golden Knights sank three consecutive three-points tries to spark an 11-0 Gannon run to wrestle the lead back from the Raiders with 2:43 remaining.  
 
Shippensburg answered with a Johnson corner triple to regain the lead for good, as the Raider defense held the Golden Knights scoreless the rest of the way.
 
Gannon was led by guard Michael Lucarotti, who tallied 17 points on 3-of-3 shooting from three-point range.
 
Graduate Luke Nedrow recorded a solid all-around performance for Shippensburg, posting 12 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks. Senior Carlos Carter was the fourth Raider to reach double-figures in scoring, finishing with 10.
 
Up next, the Raiders close out the calendar year with a home matchup against PSAC West foe Clarion Friday, Dec. 30. Tip-off from Heiges Field House is set for 8 p.m.