MADISON, N.J. - A big run to close the first half propelled the Drew University men's basketball team to a 97-68 Landmark Conference (LC) victory over the University of Scranton Friday evening in Baldwin Gym.

The Rangers (2-0, 2-0 LC) torched the Royals with a 22-4 run to close the opening period and take a commanding 56-36 lead at the break. Scranton rallied early in the second half, but Drew put the game away with a decisive run midway through the second stanza.

Junior guard David Gervase led the Rangers with 22 points, including 13 in a big four-minute stretch late in the first half. Freshman guard Malcolm Newman contributed 20 points, six rebounds, and four assists while sophomore forward Howard McBurnie, Jr. notched 18 points and eight rebounds. Senior forward Lybrant Robinson also scored 18 points and knocked down 4-of-7 3-pointers. 

Logan Bailey scored 17 points to lead Scranton (1-1, 1-1 LC).

The Rangers shot 50.7% from the field and racked up 23 fastbreak points. Drew out-rebounded the Royals 49-29.

For the second game in a row, Drew fell behind early as Scranton opened the game on an 18-9 run. But Drew climbed back into it, thanks in part to some hot shooting from Gervase. He connected on a trio of 3-pointers two minutes apart to cut the deficit to 27-26 with 8:20 on the clock. 

Robinson put the Rangers in front with a pair of free throws with 8:03 showing before Gervase dropped in a pair of buckets to put Drew up 34-30 with 6:15 on the clock. McBurnie then sparked Drew's late surge, scoring eight of his team's next 10 points, capped by a 3-pointer with 3:21 left that put Drew up 12. Robinson then got into the act, hitting back-to-back 3-pointers before picking off a pass and going coast-to-coast for a dunk, igniting the Ranger bench as Drew's lead grew to 19. McBurnie capped the big half with a put-back in the final minute to make it a 21-point game.

The Royals refused to go away in the second half, however, and used a 13-1 run to make it a 13-point game (62-49) with 13:23 remaining. It was a 17-point affair 10:34 left before the Rangers iced it with a 19-2 eruption that doubled their lead with 5:38 to go. The run was highlighted by back-to-back fastbreak dunks from McBurnie.

The two sides conclude their home-and-home series on Sunday, when the Rangers travel to Scranton for a 4 p.m. tip-off.