Lyndonville, VT - Junior Mondwell Bukle (Pyeongtaek, South Korea) banked in a short jumper with 1.7 seconds to go to lift Northern Vermont University-Lyndon past New England College in Tuesday evening's men's college basketball opener for both teams.
After NEC took an early 7-6 lead, a pair of Tyrese Harris (Fort Benning, GA) layups book ended an Antonio Carlisle (St. Johnsbury, VT) three-pointer to give Lyndon a 13-7 advantage. The Hornets would gradually extend their advantage until a Bukle three-pointer gave Lyndon its largest lead of the night at 33-18 with four minutes remaining in the opening half. After the Pilgrims' Michael Hills and Harris traded baskets, NEC closed the half on a 9-3 run to cut the Hornet advantage to single digits, 38-29, heading into halftime.
NEC continued to chip away in the early stages of the second half until Alex Jean's putback basket with 12:28 to go brought the Pilgrims even at 43-43. With Lyndon leading, 47-45, NEC's Stravis Lutchman drained a three-pointer to give the Pilgrims their first lead since the opening minutes. The teams went back and forth over the next several minutes, with neither able to gain more than a one score advantage until the Pilgrims' Treyjon Lewis converted a basket and a foul then came up with a steal that led to a Hills layup that put NEC in front, 64-60, with 3:50 to go in the game.
Two Harris free throws cut the NEC lead back to two, then Bukle knocked down a jumper in the paint to tie things with 2:34 left. The Pilgrims came up empty on their next trip down the floor, then Carlisle connected from behind the arc to put the Hornets in front by three with 1:58 to go. Jasen Stovall converted a pair of free throws to make it a one-point game, then three consecutive missed Hornet free throws gave NEC life. Lutchman then converted a layup in the paint with 31 seconds to go to give NEC the lead at 68-67.
Lyndon then played for the last shot. Carlisle's 15 foot jumper was off the mark, but Jayden Macknail (Camillus, NY) tipped the rebound to Bukle, who banked in the game winner with 1.7 seconds left. NEC had a chance to go length of the floor, but turned the ball over, giving the Hornets the win.
Bukle and Carlisle led a balanced Hornet attack with 15 points apiece. Harris finished with 12 points and a game high six assists and Jaden Phillips (Phoenix, AZ) recorded a double double with 10 points and 13 rebounds.
Lutchman led the Pilgrims with 13 points. Hills and Kamdyn Ayers both reached double figures with 12 and 10 points respectively. Alex Williams pulled down 12 rebounds and Lewis added 11 boards.
The Hornets return to action on Thursday evening when they travel to Division I University of Hartford for an exhibition game. Tip-off is 7:00 pm.
