SCRANTON, Pa. - No. 8 Swarthmore College Men's Basketball knocked off Misericorida University, 94-69, to open the 2021-22 campaign on Friday evening. 

The Garnet and Cougars battled it out in non-conference play as the pair opened their seasons at the Scranton Invitational. With a little under four minutes remaining in the first half, Swarthmore trailed by two and a Michael Caprise layup knotted the game at 34. The 3:33 mark in the opening half was the last time that Swarthmore trailed in the game. Conor Harkins hit a three-pointer with time expiring to give Swarthmore the 44-39 lead at half-time.

Swarthmore had the slight lead at the break, but turned on the jets in the second half. After the break, the Garnet scored the first nine points with the help of Harkins George Visconti, Vinny DeAngelo and George Corzine. The Garnet scored ten fast break points and 14 points off the bench. 

Swarthmore scored 16 points off of 13 Misericordia turnovers. Ten of those points came in the second half. The Garnet defense held the Cougars to 30 points and 7-of-28 from the field on the final frame. Swarthmore shot 19-of-33 from the field for a 57.58% shooting percentage in the second half. Visconti led the Garnet with 23 points, and added six rebounds, four assist and a pair of steals. Harkins added 15 points, while DeAngelo finished the game with 12. 

The Garnet return to the court tomorrow as they will play host Scranton with a tip-off set for 4:00 p.m.