SLIPPERY ROCK — Slippery Rock University coach Kevin Reynolds couldn’t believe the stat sheet.

His squad allowed La Roche College 17 offensive rebounds and The Rock committed 17 turnovers in Monday’s meeting, but Slippery Rock still came away with a 62-56 victory against the Redhawks at Morrow Field House.

“Seventeen offensive rebounds,” Reynolds said. “No one has done that to us before, even Division I teams.”

La Roche, a Division III team, knocked off Clarion 56-55 last Thursday and was looking for another upset, but could not pull past SRU (2-0) after taking an early 6-2 lead.

“Our guys were determined. We proved that the other night,” said Redhawks coach Hermie Carmichael, a Seneca Valley graduate.

“I told them all game, ‘Don’t let them get a big run.’ A couple of possessions late, we didn’t get the rebounds ... a lot of credit goes to (SRU). They’re really good,” Carmichael added.

The Rock used a 7-0 run — its biggest spurt of the game thanks to a 3-pointer by Darious Clark and baskets by John Bayardelle and Clark — to take the 9-6 lead.

The Rock never trailed again, even though a 3-pointer by La Roche’s David Jackson in the closing minute of the first half sent both teams into the break even at 30.

“Division II or Division III, it doesn’t matter,” Carmichael said. “All that matters is what we do.”

SRU opened the second half with a 3-point play by Clark and two free throws by Bayardelle to take a 35-30 lead with 18:38 to play, but the teams continued to exchange scores.

The Rock held a 54-51 lead with 6:17 to play before two free throws by Clark, a basket from Luiz Santos and a putback by Clark opened up a 60-51 lead with 2:28 remaining.

La Roche (1-1) countered with a 3-pointer from Derek Barber-Richards and a running basket by Lionel Perkins, the latter with 54 seconds left to make it a four-point game, but the Redhawks could pull no closer.

“(La Roche) did a good job holding the ball on offense,” Reynolds said. “It was a 61-possession game. Early in the year, that’s smart on their part. Give coach Carmichael credit.”

Clark led all scorers with 21 points, while Bayardelle added 11 points and Tabari Perry 10 points.

SRU senior center Devin Taylor did not play after suffering a leg injury in last week’s win over Ohio Valley.

“(Clark) played really well,” Reynolds said. “He got into a little foul trouble in the first half.”

Barber-Richards led the Redhawks with 14 points, while Perkins chipped in with 11 points.

SRU 62, La Roche 56

LA ROCHE 56

Derek Parker-Richards 5 1-314, Andre Flanigan 3 0-0 6, David Jackson 4 0-0 9, Ryan Franz 3 0-0 8, Jean Freeman 1 0-0 2, Neal McKown 1 1-2 3, Daron Tabron 1 1-3 3, Lionel Perkins 4 2-2 11. Totals: 22 5-10 56.

SLIPPERY ROCK 62

Jermaine Edwards 3 0-0 6, Darious Clark 8 3-4 21, John Bayardelle 3 4-4 11, Kenny Moore 0 0-0 0, Sa’Quan Davis 1 0-0 2, Aubin Reeves 3 2-4 8, Tabari Perry 4 2-2 10, Luiz Santos 2 0-2 4, Jordan 2 0-2 4. Totals: 24 11-16 62.

La Roche 30 26—56

SRU30 32—62

3-pointers: L: Barber-Richards 3, Franz 2, Jackson, Perkins. SRU: Clark2, Bayardelle

Saturday: SRU at Lake Erie