Why Slippery Rock basketball believes it’s headed in the right direction despite decisive loss to Cranberry
CHERRY TWP — Slippery Rock’s slow start to the boys basketball season continued Tuesday night — but the Rockets hope things will change soon.
“I think if we can bring that effort and that intensity every night, I think that we have a shot at winning every game (we have left), especially in the region we play and the stretch that we’re going into here,” Rockets coach A.J. Motta said after his team’s 66-40 loss to Cranberry Area.
Slippery Rock (2-6) never led in the matchup, watching three Berries (8-0) players pour in double digits.
The Rockets were within five points before their opponent went on a 10-2 run in the final 2:23 of the first half. Cranberry piled onto its lead by bucketing nine of the first 11 points out of halftime. Its lead peaked at 22 points after Cole Findlay’s bucket with 2:20 remaining, but Slippery Rock tried to chip away throughout.
“They got out in transition, and I think that was a big difference in the game,” Motta said. “I thought the effort and the energy was there tonight, and that’s all that we can control. ... We ran into a good team. We missed some easy shots, we missed some tough shots.”
Luke Caldwell led the Rockets with 17 points — including three 3-pointers — and added three rebounds.
“I think we played really hard,” Caldwell said. “Obviously, we started out pretty slow during the season, but I think things are starting to click, especially (with what we did) against that good team. ... Everyone’s gonna miss shots. Everyone’s gonna mess up. That’s what the game’s about.
“You just gotta move on.”
SLIPPERY ROCK 40
Luke Caldwell 6 2-2 17, Connor Zorn 2 1-2 6, Casey Darr 3 0-0 6, Andrew Harry 1 2-2 4, Fred Campagna 2 0-0 4, Doug Popovec 1 1-1 3. Totals: 15 6-7 40.
CRANBERRY 66
Blake Marchinke 7 5-5 20, Shia Sanchez 8 1-3 17, Cole Findlay 6 0-0 13, Connor Morrow 2 0-0 5, Landon Melay 2 0-0 4, Landon Baker 1 2-4 4, Bryle Marchinke 1 1-2 3, Conner Zerbe 0 0-2 0. Totals: 27 9-16 66.
Slippery Rock 8 14 9 9 — 40
Cranberry 14 21 15 16 — 66
3-point goals: Slippery Rock 4 (Caldwell 3, Zorn); Cranberry 3 (Findlay, Bl. Marchinke, Morrow)
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Slippery Rock's Doug Senge (31) brings the ball up the court against Cranberry Area in a boys basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025, during the Moniteau Holiday Tournament at Moniteau High School. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Cranberry Area's Shia Sanchez (2) shoots a jump shot against Slippery Rock in a boys basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025, during the Moniteau Holiday Tournament at Moniteau High School. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Cranberry Area's Landon Baker (4) shoots a foul shot against Slippery Rock in a boys basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025, during the Moniteau Holiday Tournament at Moniteau High School. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Cranberry Area's Cole Findlay (1) gets past Slippery Rock's Sawyer Allen (14) in a boys basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025, during the Moniteau Holiday Tournament at Moniteau High School. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Slippery Rock's Casey Darr (10) looks to make a pass against Cranberry Area in a boys basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025, during the Moniteau Holiday Tournament at Moniteau High School. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Cranberry Area's Shia Sanchez (2) drives to the basket against Slippery Rock in a boys basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025, during the Moniteau Holiday Tournament at Moniteau High School. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Cranberry Area's Conner Zerbe (32) makes a pass against Slippery Rock in a boys basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025, during the Moniteau Holiday Tournament at Moniteau High School. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Cranberry Area's Shia Sanchez (2) attempts a layup against Slippery Rock in a boys basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025, during the Moniteau Holiday Tournament at Moniteau High School. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Cranberry Area's Cole Findlay (1) takes a shot over Slippery Rock's Casey Darr (10) in a boys basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025, during the Moniteau Holiday Tournament at Moniteau High School. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Cranberry Area's Cole Findlay (1) goes to make shot while being defended by Slippery Rock's Casey Darr (10) in a boys basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025, during the Moniteau Holiday Tournament at Moniteau High School. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Cranberry Area's Cole Findlay (1) takes a shot while being defended by Slippery Rock's Doug Popovec (3) in a boys basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025, during the Moniteau Holiday Tournament at Moniteau High School. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Slippery Rock's Doug Popovec (3) looks for an opening to take a shot under the basket against Cranberry Area in a boys basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025, during the Moniteau Holiday Tournament at Moniteau High School. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
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Cranberry Area's Blake Marchinke (23) looks to make a pass against Slippery Rock in a boys basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025, during the Moniteau Holiday Tournament at Moniteau High School. Ralph LoVuolo/Special to the Eagle
