Presque Isle, ME - Northern Vermont University-Lyndon rallied back from a 14-point first half deficit to take a nine point second half lead in Friday night's North Atlantic Conference men's basketball game.  The host Owls had the final run of the night, however, and emerged with a 102-91 victory over the Hornets.  UMPI improves to 13-9 overall and 7-4 in conference with the win, while Lyndon falls to 6-16 on the season and 3-8 in NAC play.

UMPI jumped out to a quick 9-1 lead at the start of the game.  The Hornets responded with an 11-0 run of their own, and took their first lead on a Zach Falkenburg (Bridgeport, NY) three-pointer at the 14:13 mark of the opening half.  The Owls scored the next nine points to regain control, and eventually extended their advantage to 42-28 following a Griffin Guerrette layup with 3:19 to go in the half.  After the teams traded scores, Lyndon's Tyrese Harris (Fort Benning, GA) connected on a three-pointer at the buzzer to cut the Owl lead to 44-33 at intermission.

The Hornets came out on fire to start the second half.  Lyndon outscored UMPI 17-4 over the first 4:30, regaining the lead on a Falkenburg layup.  The Hornets extended their advantage over the next several minutes, and when Harris scored on a driving layup the Hornets were up by nine, 65-56, with just under 11 minutes to go.

At that point the Owls staged a rally of their own.  Guerrette scored eight straight points, with six coming from the foul line.  Guerrette's layup put UMPI back in front, 77-75, at the 6:19 mark.  Lyndon's Mondwell Bukle answered with a basket and free throw on Lyndon's next possession, but a 9-0 Owl run gave the hosts an eight point lead, and the Hornets never got closer than seven points the rest of the way.

Guerrette scored 23 of his game high 27 points in the second half to lead UMPI.  He was 14 for 14 from the free throw line and dished out eight assists.  Gilbert Jean Mendez scored 15 of his 20 points in the first half for the Owls.  Jean Mendez added 13 rebounds.  Dany Harris posted a double double with 15 points and 13 rebounds.  Parker Onorato and Charlie Mellick also reached double figures with 14 and 12 points respectively.

Antonio Carlisle (St. Johnsbury, VT) led Lyndon with 22 points, 15 in the opening half.  Harris finished with 17 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, and six steals.  Falkenburg finished with 16 points and Luke Fredsell (Whitesboro, NY) chipped in with 15.

UMPI connected on 35 of 69 shots (50.7%), including seven of 13 (53.8%) from behind the three-point arc.  The Owls also made 25 of 32 free throws, including 24 of 30 in the second half.  Lyndon made 32 of 71 shots (45.1%), but only six of 23 (26.1%) from distance.  The Hornets were 21 of 30 (70.0%) from the free throw line.  UMPI held a commanding 47-32 rebounding advantage.

The same two teams will meet again on Saturday afternoon at 1:00 pm at UMPI.

All photos courtesy of UMaine-Presque Isle Athletics.