Bangor, ME - Northern Vermont University-Lyndon built a 15-point advantage just over four minutes into the second half of Saturday's North Atlantic Conference men's basketball game at Husson University.  The host Eagles mounted a big comeback, however, and closed the game on a 9-0 run to come away with a 78-73 victory over the Hornets.  With the win, the Eagles even their overall record at 12-12 and improve to 10-3 in NAC play.  Lyndon falls to 6-16 on the season and 3-8 in conference.

Lyndon got out of the gates quickly, jumping out to a 14-6 advantage following a Mondwell Bukle (Pyeongtaek, South Korea) three-pointer 5:31 into the contest.  The Hornets held onto the lead throughout the remainder of the first half, but Husson was able to cut the margin to 37-34 at halftime.

The Hornets opened the second half on a 10-0 run to extend their advantage to 47-34 with 17:33 to go in the game.  The Hornet lead reached 15 on a Peyton Olsen (Middleburgh, NY) three-pointer at the 15:57 mark.

With the Hornets still up 15, Husson climbed back into the game with an 8-0 run capped by a pair of Milos Sujica free throws   The Hornets were able to steady things, however, and when Jayden Macknail (Camillus, NY) scored following a Bukle steal, Lyndon led 69-59 with 6:57 to go.

Husson then converted six straight free throws to get within two before Olsen scored off of a Calder Horowitz-McCadden (South Burlington, VT) steal to make it 71-67 with 5:17 remaining.  Jeremy Moronta's second chance basket cut the lead to two, but Gregory Gonyea Jr. (Dolgeville, NY) converted a driving layup to push the Lyndon lead back to four with 4:02 to go.

That would turn out to be the last time Lyndon would score, as Moronta would give Husson their first lead since the opening minutes with a shot in the paint at the 1:27 mark.  Husson would then put the game away at the free throw line.

Moronta led the Eagles with 34 points and nine rebounds.  Derek Collin was the only other Husson player in double figures, as he recorded 13 points and seven rebounds.

Bukle paced Lyndon with 23 points.  Macknail and Gonyea chipped in 13 points apiece and Olsen hit double figures with 11.

Husson was 27/70 (38.6%) from the floor and only 1/19 (5.3%) from behind the three-point arc.  Lyndon was 29/64 (45.3%) and 7/25 (28.0%) from distance.  The Eagles enjoyed a big advantage at the foul line for the second day in a row, converting 23 of 27 (85.2%) attempts to only 8/15 (53.3%) for the Hornets.  Husson had a 50-38 rebounding advantage and scored 30 second chance points ot only seven for Lyndon.

Lyndon returns home next weekend for a pair of games against the University of Maine at Presque Isle that will decide their post-season fate.  On Friday, the Hornets and Owls will tip off at 7:30 pm.  The two teams will run it back on Saturday afternoon at 3:00 pm.