Lyndonville, VT - Northern Vermont University-Lyndon got off to a strong start in Tuesday evening's men's college basketball game against Eastern Nazarene College. The Hornets were unable to maintain their early momentum, however, as the visiting Lions pulled away for an 87-58 victory. Eastern Nazarene improves to 5-4 with the win, while Lyndon falls to 1-4 on the season.
Lyndon's Luke Fredsell (Whitesboro, NY) opened the scoring with a three-point goal on the Hornets' first possession. After the two teams traded baskets, Zach Falkenburg (Bridgeport, NY) scored 11 straight Hornet points, as Lyndon extended their lead to 16-8 less than five minutes into the game.
With the Hornets still maintaining a 17-11 lead, Eastern Nazarene scored six straight points capped by a pair of inside baskets from Levi Grady-White to tie things at 17-17. Brett Roy (Newport, VT) was fouled attempting a three-pointer on Lyndon's next possession. Roy converted all three free-throws to put the Hornets back in front, 20-17, with 11:44 to go in the half.
Baskets from Nicholas Manso and Corey McGhee gave the Lions their first lead at 21-20 with 7:56 remaining until halftime. Eastern Nazarene was able to gradually extend their lead going into halftime, as the Hornets went ice cold. Lyndon only made one field goal, a Falkenburg three, in 19 attempts over the final 15:05 of the half.
Eastern Nazarene kept the Hornets at bay throughout the second half, as Lyndon was unable to put a dent in the Lion lead and the margin gradually grew as the half wore on.
Bernie McGuinnes led the Lions with 26 points on 10 for 11 shooting and added a game high 13 rebounds. McGhee and Manso added 15 points apiece and Grady-White chipped in eight points and ten rebounds. Falkenburg was Lyndon's only double figure scorer, finishing with 18 points.
Eastern Nazarene made 37 of 79 field goal attempts (46.8%), including six of 12 from behind the arc. Meanwhile the Hornets only converted 18 of 56 attempts, including only seven of 25 from distance. The Lions also owned a commanding 57-27 rebounding advantage.
The Hornets will return to action Thursday when they travel to Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts for a 6:00 pm non-conference matchup.
