ANNVILLE, Pa. – The Lebanon Valley men's basketball team outscored visiting Delaware Valley University 17-3 in overtime to defeat the Aggies 84-70 in the season opener for both teams on Friday evening. The Dutchmen advanced to Saturday's Rinso Marquette Championship game against Neumann University who defeated New Jersey City University 66-64 in the first game of the evening.
 
Delaware Valley got out to a quick start to take a 7-2 lead a few minutes into the game forcing a Dutchmen timeout. They were able to build their biggest lead of the game following a three-pointer with 14:38 to go in the half to take a 14-4 lead. LVC countered with a 12-0 run fueled by back-to-back threes from Karson Pavlik and Payton Lewis to go up 16-14. The teams battled back and forth the rest of the half with the Dutchmen holding a 28-25 lead at the half.
 
LVC got the crowd going in the second half with a big 14-0 run to build a 46-30 lead with 13:09 to go. The Dutchmen held their biggest lead of the game with 10:51 left following a Kyle Tang free throw to take a 17-point lead. Delaware Valley chipped away at the lead and tied the game up at 65 with a little over two minutes to play. The Aggies would take the lead on a steal and a bucket before LVC tied the game back up on a pair of free throws by Tang. Both teams had chances to win the game in regulation over the final 40 seconds but neither team was able to find the bottom of the net.
The Dutchmen dominated the extra session holding the Aggies scoreless until the final minute after LVC had already built a 15-point advantage.
 
Inside the Box Score

• Collin Jones and Ryan Harder had double-doubles to lead the Dutchmen. Jones scored a game-high 20 points and pulled down 11 rebounds while Harder had 13 points and 11 rebounds.
• Kegan Hertz had another strong game with 16 points and six boards.
• Payton Lewis and Antonio Redding reached double figures with 10 points each,
• Tang finished the game with eight points and five assists.
• LVC shot 48.3 percent from the floor including an impressive 58.3 percent from beyond the arc.

Up Next
LVC will look to win the Rinso Maquette Championship on Saturday afternoon against Neumann University. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. inside Sorrentino Gymnasium.
 
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