Lyndonville, VT - Vermont State University Lyndon and Husson University squared off in a North Atlantic Conference men's basketball game for the second time in less than 24 hours on Saturday afternoon. Unfortunately for the home team, the results were the same as they were in the first go-around, as the visiting Eagles prevailed, 95-63. Husson remained unbeaten in seven games this season, including two NAC contests. Lyndon is winless in nine games, including two conference tilts.
Unlike Friday's game, where Husson jumped out to a 9-0 advantage and never looked back, Saturday's contest was closely contested in the early going. Riles Neff's transition basket gave Husson a 13-8 advantage, but five straight points from Peyton Olsen (Middleburgh, NY) pulled the Hornets even at the 14:21 mark. A Mondwell bukle (Pyeongtaek, South Korea) three-point goal put Lyndon in front, but Husson responded with seven straight points to regain the advantage.
Luke Warner (Oswego, NY) connected on a baseline jumper to pull Lyndon back within two at 22-20 with 8:37 to go in the half, but an 8-0 Husson run capped by an Eric Ahlers three extended the lead to double figures for the first time. The Hornets chipped away, however, and cut the deficit in half on an Olsen three with 3:35 remaining before intermission. That would prove to be as close as the Hornets would get, as Husson closed the half on a 9-1 run to take a 41-28 lead into halftime.
Husson's Andre McCauley and Scott Lewis scored the first four points of the second half. The Hornets never got closer than within 11 points the rest of the way, as the Eagles cruised to the victory.
McCauley led a balanced Husson attack, finishing with 16 points. Lewis posted a double double with 15 points and 11 rebounds and Ahlers and Jeremy Moronta chipped in with 11 and ten points respectively. Moronta also dished out a game high nine assists.
Olsen had a game high 19 points to lead Lyndon. He also pulled down seven rebounds and dished out six assists. Bukle was the only other Lyndon player in double figures, tallying 12 points. Calder Horowitz-McCadden grabbed a team high eight rebounds.
Lyndon will travel to Colgate University on Wednesday evening for an exhibition game against the Division I Raiders. The contest tips off at 7:00 pm, and will be televised on ESPN+.
