Lyndonville, VT - The Northern Vermont University-Lyndon men's basketball team took the court for the first time in 359 days when they hosted NVU-Johnson on Thursday night.  The Hornets battled back from a 12-point deficit late in the first half and came away with a 92-85 victory.  The game was also the season opener for the Badgers.

The Hornets jumped out to a quick 7-0 advantage less than tweo minutes into the contest on a pair of baskets from Peyton Olsen (Middleburgh, NY) sandwiched around a three-pointer from Tyrese Harris (Wiesbaden, Germany).  The Badgers would respond, however, scoring the next 13 points to build a six point advange following a David Jordan three-pointer at the 13:30 mark.

Johnson would gradually extend their advantage, and when Josiah Wimberly converted a transition layup the Badgers found themselves in front, 32-20, with 6:14 remaining in the opening half.  This time it was the Hornets who rallied, going on a 16-4 run to pull even following an Antonio Carlisle (St, Johnsbury, VT) free throw with a minute remaining in the half.  Freshman Brett Roy (Newport, VT) ignited the run with a key three-pointer and several big defensive plays.  After the two teams traded scores, Sameul Stephens went coast to coast right before the buzzer to put the Badgers in front by two at the break.

The Badgers maintained a slim lead in the opening minutes of the second half, until Peyton Olsen (Middleburgh, NY) connected from three-point range to give Lyndon its first lead since the early going.  After the teams traded the lead back and forth, Jeremy Peralta (Hagerstown, MD) connected on a corner three and Olsen followed with a layup to make it 69-67, Lyndon with just under ten minutes to go.

Ayodeji Shokeye converted one of two free throws on the next Badger posession, but the Hornets followed with a 10-0 run capped by a Levi Haviland (Poultney, VT) second chance basket which put the Hornets in control.  The Hornets then kept Johnson at bay the rest of the game, as the visitors never got closer than the final margin.

Olsen scored 21 of his game high and career best 25 points in the second half to lead the Lyndon attack.  He was a very efficient 9/11 from the floor in the process.  Harris also posted a career high with 21 points and Zach Falkenburg (Bridgeport, NY) recorded a double double with 16 points and 11 rebounds.  Carlisle was the fourth Hornet to finish in double figures, as he tallied 12 points on the evening.

Robert Dubose Jr. paced Johnson with 23 points and Shokeye added 16 points and 11 rebounds.  Romelle Watt came off the Badger bench to chip in 15 points.

The Hornets will return to action on Sunday evening when they travel to Eastern Connecticut State University for a 5:30 pm tip-off.  Lyndon is scheduled to return home next Tuesday for a 6:00 pm tip-off against Fisher College in Stannard Gymnasium.