Men's Basketball: Hawks drop season opener at St. Cloud State

The Rockhurst Hawks opened the 2006-07 season with a 77-67 loss to St. Cloud State in the American Family Insurance Hoopster Classic Friday night in St. Cloud, Minn. Box Score

Rockhurst rallied from a 50-26 deficit in the second half to cut St. Cloud's lead to five points, 65-60, with 4:07 left to play. The Huskies held off Rockhurst down the stretch by hitting a 3-pointer and seven of 10 free throws in the final two minutes.

Junior guard Joey Deas led the Hawks with 18 points on 7-of-13 shooting. Senior forwards Kevin Martin and Jon-Erik Price added 12 points apiece.

The Hawks finished with a field-goal percentage of 48.1 percent on 26-of-54 shooting. Rockhurst hit five of 15 from 3-point range and 10 of 19 at the foul line.

Guard David Dreas paced St. Cloud State with 24 points on 9-of-15 field goals. The Huskies connected on 26-of-46 field goals for 56.5 percent shooting.

The rebound battle was even at 29-all. Junior center John Torson led the Hawks with 10 rebounds.

The Hawks will face Nebraska-Omaha on Saturday at 6 p.m. in the American Family Insurance Hoopster Classic. UNO edged Mary 64-61 on Friday.

Rockhurst returns home on Tuesday, Nov. 21 to play William Jewell in its home opener. The game will start at 7 p.m. and will be Webcast by Rockhurst. Click on LIVE WEBCAST for more information.