READING, Pa. - A second-half comeback attempt fell short as Albright handed Lebanon Valley its first Commonwealth Conference of the year in a 78-72 loss on Dec. 6.

The Dutchmen (5-3, 2-1 CC) ran their offense through Kevin Agnew and Andy Orr, with Agnew draining a career-high 42 points and Orr 22. LVC erased a 12-point second-half deficit after the Lions (4-3, 1-1 CC) came out strong from the half, but Albright capitalized on free throws and turnovers down the stretch to secure the win. 

Agnew had the highest scoring output for a Dutchman in 12 years, since J.D. Byers '05 dropped 41 in 2002-03. The senior shot 15-of-24 from the floor (4-of-8 from range) and 8-for-10 at the foul line; he had previously scored 37 twice in his career. He's the fourth player in the nation to cross 40 points this season.

LVC shot 47.2 percent overall, including a much-improved 55 percent in the second half after a tough first period. Albright made 51.9 percent of its shots and rebounds were a push at 29-29.

After a tight first half saw neither team lead by more than six, Albright came out of the break hot to lead 45-33 four minutes in. LVC erased that with a 16-7 run over the next five minutes as Andy Orr poured in nine of his 22, including a key three-point play.

LVC had tied the game as late as the 7:29 mark of the second half, but 7-3 spurt by the hosts retook a lead that they never gave back. A layup by Orr with 3:09 left cut the Albright lead to 66-64 but Omari Ringgold answered with a three-pointer before Agnew's jumper made it 69-66 with 2:05 to go.

Albright responded with six straight DeJuan Smith points - layups sandwiched around free throws - before Agnew hit a three-pointer to stop the bleeding, but Albright made its free throws to ice it before a final Agnew longball set the score at 78-72 in the final seconds.

Smith led Albright with 20 points off the bench; Marquez and Evan Ward each had 14, with Ward leading all players with 11 boards.

LVC will break for finals before hosting McDaniel Dec. 14.