Waterville, ME - Northern Vermont University-Lyndon fought all the way back from a 19 point first half deficit to pull within two points of Thomas College in the final minute of Friday's North Atlantic Conference men's basketball game.  Unfortunately for the Hornets, they were unable to get all the way over the hump, and came up on the short end of a 76-70 final score.  With the win the Terriers improve to 10-6 overall and 4-1 in conference play.  The Hornets fall to 4-11 on the season and 1-4 in NAC play.

After Lyndon's Zach Falkenburg (Bridgeport, NY) knocked down a three-pointer for the game's first points, Thomas held the Hornets scoreless for over six minutes in building a 9-3 advantage.  After a Falkenburg layup pulled Lyndon back within three just over ten minutes into the game, Thomas went on a 16-0 run to take a 32-13 lead with 5:57 to go in the opening half.  Lyndon was able to narrow the Thomas advantage to 42-31 at the half.

Thomas built their lead back to 14 early in the second half, then the Hornets chipped away again.  Lyndon got within 54-48 with 12:02 to go floowing a pair of Damon Denteh (Jamaica, NY) free throws.  A quick 11-0 thomas run made it 65-48, but Lyndon again fought back.  When Peyton Olsen (Middleburgh, NY) knocked down a three-pointer, Lyndon was within 70-65 with 3:31 to go.  Jordan Goodson's layup on the next possession pusjed the Thomas lead back to seven, but a three and a layup from Falkenburg brought Lyndon within 72-70 with 1:18 to go.

On the Terriers' next trip, Lovegeurson Fleurine was fouled following an offensive rebound and made one of two attempts.  Trailing by three, Lyndon had the ball with a chance to tie, but a costly turnover cost the Hornets a chance to pull even.  Thomas made three of four in the final seconds to hold on for the win.

Goodson came off the Thomas bench to score a team leading 20 points.  Jacob Godfrey added 14 points and Justin Butler recorded 13 points and five assists.  Tyler Nixon pulled down a game high 13 rebounds as Thomas controlled the glass with a 50-31 margin.  

For Lyndon, Denteh finished with a game high 25 points, including 6/10 from behind the three-point arc.  Olsen added 16 and Falkenburg finished with 15 points and a team best eight rebounds and four assists.  Luke Fredsell (Whitesboro, NY) added ten points.

The Hornets continue their road trip on Saturday afternoon when they play at NAC leading University of Maine at Farmington.  Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00 pm.