SLIPPERY ROCK — SeanStrickland had trouble controlling his emotions.

The SlipperyRock High boys basketball coach had bloodshot eyes and wore a huge smile when he spoke of the Rockets' 59-56 win over Erie East Friday night.

"I'm just so proud of these guys," Strickland said.

With two starters, Brian Kelly and MattShearer, on the bench in street clothes, SlipperyRock rallied from a double-digit fourth-quarter deficit for the win.

A team that once struggled closing games now has gotten quite good at it.

Since blowing a lead and losing to Franklin two weeks ago, the Rockets have three come-from-behind victories.

And the thanks go to an unlikely source.

"To tell you the truth, I have (Franklin boys basketball coach) Bill Hager to thank," Strickland said. "He gave us two drills, and I think one of those drills is paying dividends for us. As a coach, you always have to be willing to learn, especially from a guy who has more than 600 wins."

Slippery Rock (13-5) was missing 25 points per game with the absence of Kelly and Shearer.

When asked why both were out of action, Strickland simply said, "No comment."

When asked when they would possibly return to the court, Strickland once again said, "No comment."

It wasn't a problem Friday, though, as NickCress and Derrick Orloski replaced those 25 points.

Cress scored 11 of his 13 points and Orloski pitched in 10 of his 12 points in the second half as Slippery Rock overcame an 11-point deficit with five minutes left.

"Nick played well all game and Derrick — he had a rough first half, but instead of worrying about it, he came back and had a strong second half and stepped up," Strickland said.

Zack Ejzak also scored 13 points, despite a 3-of-20 shooting night.

He pressed early but settled down to sink 7-of-10 free throws.

Freshman Brian Giesler added 10 points for Slippery Rock, including seven in the fourth quarter.

It is the Rockets' fourth straight win, and a big one as they head into a region tilt with rival Grove City Tuesday.

"Every time we have won a game during this winning streak, our guys have said, 'We are 1-0 in the playoffs, we are 2-0 in the playoffs,'" Strickland said. "So, tonight, we are 4-0 in the playoffs."

ERIE EAST 56CoryRatliff 3-8 2-2 8, Chris Young 1-3 0-0 2, Kyle Jordan 1-1 0-0 2, Gil Rogers 13-25 0-0 27, Slaliel Glover 0-0 0-0 0, Ronnie Puray 0-0 0-0 0, Jonathan Roy 0-2 0-0 0, Mike Mathis 0-1 0-0 0, Scott Jones 5-10 0-0 10, Wendell Torres 3-8 1-1 7.

Totals: 26-58 3-3 56

SLIPPERY ROCK 59Ethan Giesler 3-6 2-4 9, DerrickOrloski 4-16 4-4 12, Brian Giesler 3-12 2-2 10, Nick Cress 6-9 1-2 13, Zack Ejzak 3-20 7-10 13, Ryan Gordon 0-2 0-0 0.

Totals: 20-58 16-22 59

Erie East 8 21 11 16—56SlipperyRock 12 7 18 22—593-point goals: Giesler 3, Geisler

JV: Erie East 45-39

Tuesday: SlipperyRock at Grove City