Farmington, ME - The Northern Vermont University-Lyndon men's basketball team stayed within striking distance of North Atlantic Conference leading University of Maine at Farmington for over 32 minutes on Tuesday evening. Unfortunately for the Hornets, it was the home standing Beavers that made the final push of the game, as they pulled away for a 100-78 victory. With the win UMF improved to 8-4 on the season and remained unbeaten in NAC play at 4-0. Lyndon fell to 2-11 overall and remained winless in three conference starts.
Much of the first half was played on even terms, as neither team was able to gain much of an advantage. Lyndon's Peyton Olsen (Middleburgh, NY) connected on a three-point goal with 7:38 to go in the half to give the Hornets what turned out to be their biggest lead at 30-26. UMF responded with an 11-0 run keyed by four consecutive Hornet turnovers and capped by a Terion Moss layup to give the Beavers a 37-30 lead with 5:41 to go in the half. UMF extended their advantage to 45-35 at intermission.
The Beavers continued to extend their lead in the opening minutes of the second half, pushing their advantage to 19, 66-47, following a Drew Storey layup with 11:37 to go in the game. At that point the Hornets began to climb back into it. Tyrese Harris (Fort Benning, GA) started things by connecting from three-point range. A Gregory Gonyea (Dolgeville, NY) three-pointer capped the 19-8 Lyndon run to cut the Beaver lead to 74-66 with 8:07 to go. Lyndon git another defensive stop, but the Hornets misfired on a pair of threes that could have made it a five-point game.
UMF then responded with a 7-0 run triggered by a pair of Hornet turnovers and capped by a Silas Mohlar layup and free throw to build the lead back to 15 with 6:49 remaining. Lyndon wouldn't threaten the rest of the way, as the Beavers cruised to the win.
Moss posted a game high 27 points with six steals to lead the Beavers. Jack Kane added 22 points on 10/12 shooting and ad three blocked shots. Kyle Donlin recorded a double double with 14 points and 10 rebounds and Nathan Poulin chipped in with 13 points.
Mondwell Bukle (Pyeongtaek, South Korea) paced Lyndon with 17 points and six rebounds. Olsen added 15 points while Gonyea and Antonio Carlisle (St. Johnsbury, VT) finished with 13 points each.
Lyndon outrebounded UMF, 38-37. The Hornets committed 29 turnovers resulting in 30 UMF points, while the Beavers only gave the ball away 18 times.
Lyndon will travel to the State University of New York at Delhi for a Friday evening NAC crossover game. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 pm.
