DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - A furious second-half comeback by Lebanon Valley fell just short as the Dutchmen dropped their Land of Magic Classic opener 72-69 to Loras.

The Dutchmen (7-4) trailed by as much as 19 early in the first half after the Duhawks (4-6) raced out to a 23-4 start, but LVC responded to cut the lead to a basket near the end of the first half. It was the first-ever meeting between the two programs, coming on a neutral court at Embry-Riddle University.

Kevin Agnew dropped in a game-high 20 points to go with five assists, and Andy Orr had 17 points including 3-for-3 shooting from range. Luke Berguson added 11 bench points. Mirko Grcic scored 19 for Loras and added nine boards.

Trailing 37-33 at the half, LVC let Loras get away to a 11-point lead before reeling them back in a 9-0 run capped by Berguson's three-pointer with 10:39 to go, cutting the lead to 48-46. The Duhawks clung to a slim lead over the next several minutes, but free throws and a layup by Agnew made it a one-point game, 70-69, with 45 seconds to go. Loras called timeout and benefited from a Grcic layup to lead by three, and with the last shot, LVC couldn't force overtime as a three-point chance was off the mark just before the buzzer.

LVC will enjoy some time in the sun before getting back to work Tuesday against Ursinus in the second and final game in Florida.