GRANTHAM, Pa. – The Lebanon Valley men's basketball team responded to every punch host Messiah University threw their way on Saturday and used a team effort to defeat the Falcons on their home floor 68-56. Four different Dutchmen scored in double figures and all eight players recorded at least one rebound.

The Dutchmen scored the first points of the game and then took a 5-2 lead on a three from Evan Smith. Messiah responded with a 6-0 run to take their first lead of the game. Kyle Tang made a pair of free throws, Luis Garcia scored and then Jevon Griffin knocked down a three off a pass from Tang to give LVC a 12-8 advantage. Messiah kept the score close with runs throughout the first half but each run by the Falcons was met by a run from the Dutchmen to keep the lead. Tang played a big role in the runs jumping into passing lanes for steals, dishing out assists, or scoring points. Messiah got the deficit down to one with 7:35 left in the half before a Smith three off a pass from Tang made it a two-possession game. LVC got the lead up to five before Messiah brought it right back down to one. Griffin knocked down a three and then scored in the paint off an assist from Tang with 51 seconds left in the half to give the Dutchmen a 29-23 lead.
 
Collin Jones scored LVC's first six points of the second half until a Smith three gave the Dutchmen a 39-29 lead with 14:43 on the clock. The Falcons cut the advantage down to four before Jones hit a jumper and Antonio Redding knocked down a three off an assist by Tang. Tang jumped into a passing lane and then Jones scored underneath the hoop to give LVC an 11-point advantage with 9:18 to go. Messiah used an 8-0 run to come within three but Tang found Ryan Harder open for a jumper to stop the run. The Dutchmen were able to get the lead back up to 11 with 3:03 on the clock before ending the game at the free throw line where they made their final six points.
 
Inside the Box Score

• Tang just missed a double-double with 14 points and nine assists. He was 4-5 from the field and 6-7 at the line.
• Jones had another double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds. He has scored in double figures in 15 of 16 games this year and has pulled down at least 10 rebounds eight times.
• Smith hit four three-pointers and finished with 14 points.
• Griffin had one of his best games of the season with a season-high 11 points including three three-pointers. He also pulled down four rebounds.
• Luis Garcia had six points and four rebounds.
• LVC shot a season-best 87.5 percent at the free throw line making 14 of 16 attempts.

Up Next
Lebanon Valley will be back inside Sorrentino Gymnasium for a 6 p.m. tip against Eastern University to close out the first rotation of conference games.

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