SLIPPERY ROCK — Slippery Rock high boys basketball coach Sean Strickland grabbed a cup of sports drink, took a sip and made a simple observation.

"He's going to knock them down," Strickland said of Rhett Gordon, who was setting his toe at the free throw line at a key moment of the fourth quarter Friday. "That's what seniors do."

It was senior night after all, and Gordon was playing in his final game for the Rockets.

He didn't disappoint, hitting those two free throws and the other six he took in the final quarter to help SlipperyRock to a 66-59 win over Titusville in its season finale.

TheRockets (6-17) were 12-of-12 from the line in the fourth quarter to preserve the win.

"Rhett is really the only three-year senior we have," Strickland said. "So, to see him step up and knock all those clutch free throws down — that's what seniors do."

It's been a difficult season for Gordon, and his game against Titusville was a microcosm of it.

He started slowly Friday, missing his first three shots and picking up two quick fouls that sent him to the bench frustrated.

But he rounded into form in the second half, scoring 12 of his 14 points in the final two quarters as SlipperyRock wrested the lead from Titusville and held on to it.

"It was my last game, and I was pretty excited," Gordon said. "I just wanted to win."

Slippery Rock came into the season with high expectations, but it slumped badly during the region schedule.

Getting a win in the final game of the season and on senior night was of paramount importance for the Rockets.

"We wanted this pretty bad," Strickland said. "We wanted to make sure we had one more win than last year really badly."

While the third-year coach said it was a trying season, it didn't compare to his first year at the helm.

"Going 2-22 stunk," the coach said of his first season. "That was the most difficult season I've ever experienced as a coach or a player."

Gordon has felt the sting of this season, too.

He is one of three players — along with Grove City's Jordan Fee and Titusville's Ben Vincent, who had 16 points against the Rockets Friday night — nominated for region player of the year.

But Gordon said the team could have accomplished more.

"We only have ourselves to blame," Gordon said. "We messed up this season. We didn't show up focused or ready to play a lot of times."

SlipperyRock got off to a sluggish start against Titusville, but went on an 11-3 run late in the third quarter to take the lead for good.

Matt Shearer paced the Rockets with 17 points and ZackEjzak had 14.

TITUSVILLE 59Eric Feiereisen 2-3 3-4 9, Ben Vincent 6-9 4-4 16, Jon Proano 4-8 0-1 8, Derek Carr 2-5 0-0 4, SeanClark 1-4 2-4 4, Andrew Clark 5-16 2-3 12, Max Krepps 1-2 0-0 3, Adam Bodamer 1-3 0-0 2.

Totals: 22-50 11-16 59

SLIPPERY ROCK 66Ethan Giesler 0-1 0-0 0, Rhett Gordon 2-8 10-12 14, Kendall Mahan 2-5 0-0 6, Jarod Agostino 0-1 0-0 0, Derrick Orloski 2-7 4-4 8, Vince Papley 1-3 0-0 2, Brian Kelly 1-4 0-0 3, Matt Shearer 7-11 3-6 17, Ken Ossleborn 0-0 0-0 0, Nick Cress 1-1 0-0 2.

Totals: 22-55 19-25 66

Titusville 14 15 14 16—59Slippery Rock 9 13 26 18—663-point goals: Titusville 4 (Feiereisen 2, Andrew Clark, Krepps); SlipperyRock 3 (Mahan 2, Kelly)

JV: None