SLIPPERY ROCK — The Rock is back.

If there were any doubts that the Slippery Rock University men's basketball program has become a major player in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference — and the region for that matter — after nearly a decade in hibernation, they were soundly quashed at Morrow Field House Wednesday night.

The Rock got 21 points from Maurice Douglas and another double-double from Kyle Camper in an 82-72 upset win over nationally ranked Gannon.

"We've just been trying to bring it all together," said Camper, who scored 14 points to go with 13 assists. "Coach has us playing hard. We're just trying to do the best we can."

Their best has been good enough lately.

Gannon (18-3, 7-2) came into the contest ranked No. 4 in the NCAA Division II national poll. The Rock (15-7, 6-3) grabbed a 49-48 lead with a little more than 13 minutes remaining in the second half and never gave it up.

SRU hasn't made the conference tournament since the 1999-2000 season and hasn't qualified for the Division II playoffs since the 1990-91 campaign.

With the win over Gannon, both playoff scenarios got a major lift.

Gannon was No. 1 in the region coming into the game Wednesday. TheRock wasn't even in the top 10, but that could change.

"We hope so," said SRU coach Kevin Reynolds. "Every win is big. We needed this win to stay alive and to play for first in the PSAC-West. That's been the goal since we took the job. We put ourselves in the position with five games to go to do that."

Maurice Douglas added 18 points and Maron Brown 12 for The Rock.

SRU was playing without second-leading scorer Michael Evans Jr., who was out due to illness.

"Guys get sick," Reynolds said. "Other guys step up and play. It's a team game. Gannon didn't feel any worse because Michael wasn't in uniform. If anything, they were probably happy."

The Rock was able to keep Gannon at arm's length late in the second half.

After SRU built an 11-point lead with a little more than six minutes remaining, the Golden Knights pared it down to four points twice, but got no closer.

Camper was a big reason why The Rock was able to close perhaps the biggest win for the program in a decade.

"He's a winner," Reynolds said of Camper. "Wherever he's been, he's won. He plays so hard. He comes everyday to practice and gets better. Thirteen assists and only two turnovers against the No. 4 ranked team in the country speaks volumes."

The Rock was also aided by a raucous crowd. Morrow Field House was rocking.

The entire SRU football team was in attendance and was in full throat in the second half, making its presence known.

"That really gave us a boost," Reynolds said.

The Rock won't have much time to celebrate the win over Gannon.

"We're going to enjoy the win tonight. Tomorrow morning we're going to get to work on Edinboro," Reynolds said. "That's the biggest game of the season."

Women

The biggest loss for the Slippery Rock University women's basketball team wasn't reflected on the scoreboard.

It was seen sprawled on the court with 17 minutes remaining in the second half.

Junior point guard Nikki Presto tried to make a cut with the basketball, but her right knee gave out.

Presto slapped the floor and cried out in pain, bringing a hush to Morrow Field House.

After Presto's exit, Gannon (14-3, 7-2) went on a 23-6 run to help sink The Rock 83-63.

"I'm ready to cry for her," said SRU coach Laurel Heilman, her eyes damp and red. "I'm holding back tears for her. She was having a great year. You tell the kids, 'don't think about it.' But who knows if they really can."

Heilman feared the worst for Presto, who was taken to Butler Memorial Hospital for an MRI after the game.

Presto had helped SRU to a 33-33 tie at halftime, but Gannon outscored The Rock 50-30 in the second half.

Jess Schake led The Rock with 15 points. Grove City High grad Julie Molloy added 13.

Despite the loss, SRU (8-14, 3-6) is still in the hunt for a spot in the conference tournament.

"I still feel we are a dangerous team if we put it together," Heilman said. "We have five games left and anything can happen."

WomenGANNON 83AllyRothlisberger 3-4 0-0 7, Brittany Tabron 5-6 0-0 10, Tiffany Crocker 1-5 0-0 3, Carrie Nolan 3-10 7-8 14, Kristina Freeman 4-9 4-5 13, Abby Bunstine 4-4 0-0 11, Caitlyn Lowe 0-1 0-0 0, Shanna Thompson 1-1 0-0 2, Amanda Dacek 0-0 0-0 0, Julie Kleber 1-2 0-0 2, Kim Vargas 7-11 4-4 21. Totals: 29-53 15-17 83

SRU 63Haley Gaidosh 0-2 1-2 1, Jess Schake 6-10 3-6 15, Amanda Nero 2-5 0-0 5, Nikki Presto 2-4 0-0 4, Sasha Sales 2-5 2-2 6, Julie Molloy 5-11 1-2 13, Sandra Busser 1-2 0-0 3, Alissa Schake 2-4 0-3 4, Robin Vlah 0-0 0-0 0, Chere' Marshall 2-8 0-2 5, Grace Palucis 3-6 0-0 7. Totals: 25-57 7-17 63

Halftime score: Tied at 33-33

3-point goals: Rothlisberger, Crocker, Nolan, Freeman, Bunstine 3, Vargas 3

Saturday: SRU at Edinboro

MenGANNON 72Tyler Stoczynski 5-11 1-2 13, Dave Wilson 1-3 0-0 2, Joe Lindsey 4-11 4-4 13, Pierre Howard 5-11 4-5 14, George Johnson 3-9 3-4 10, Cory Knight 1-5 2-2 5, Mark Demski 0-0 0-0 0, Alfonso Scandrett 0-0 0-2 0, Kyle Goldcamp 7-10 1-3 15, Preston Harris 0-1 0-0 0. Totals: 26-61 15-22 72

SRU 82Maron Brown 3-6 4-4 12, Kyle Camper 4-10 4-5 14, Maurice Douglas 4-9 8-9 18, Denell Stephens 9-14 3-4 21, Erroll Robinson 1-5 0-1 3, Gary Satterwhite 3-3 0-0 6, Darnell Johnson 0-1 0-0 0, Bryen Spriggs 1-2 0-2 2, Jamar Scales 2-6 0-0 4, Travis Johnson 0-0 0-0 0, Jade Burka 1-1 0-0 2. Totals: 28-57 19-25 82

Halftime score: SRU 41-35

3-point goals: Stoczynski 2, Lindsey, Johnson, Knight; Brown 2, Camper 2, Douglas 2, Robinson

Saturday: SRU at Edinboro