HUNTINGDON, Pa. – The Lebanon Valley Men's Basketball team scored the first 13 points of the game and never trailed in a 66-47 win at Juniata College on Saturday afternoon to improve to 3-0 on the season.
 
Neither team was able to score over the first two minutes until Tyson Hofsass knocked down a three-pointer off an assist from Ryan Harder. Evin Timochenko made it 5-0 a few possessions later and then Evan Smith hit a three to push the lead to eight. Hofsass knocked down another three and Smith scored on a driving layup to give LVC a 13-0 advantage with 13:44 on the clock. The Eagles got on the board with a three-pointer on their next possession and were able to cut the lead to 13-7 before Timochenko ended a long scoring drought for the Dutchmen with a layup from Harder. The Dutchmen scored the next six points to get the lead back up to 14 points. Harder gave LVC their largest lead of the half at 17 with a three-pointer with five minutes left to make it 27-10. The teams traded scores, and Juniata got it down to 11 points before Timochenko scored on a pair of buckets in the paint to give the Dutchmen a 33-18 lead at the break.
 
The second half scoring started with a putback for the Eagles. Kyle Tang dished out an assist to Harder for a layup at the other end of the floor and then Smith made a pair of free throws to bring LVC's lead to 37-20 with 18 minutes to go. The lead grew to 19 with a jumper by Harder and then Smith answered a three by Juniata with one of his own. Timochenko scored down low off a pass from Harder and Michael Main hit a three to give the Dutchmen a 50-28 lead. Jason Penn made a layup before the Eagles scored a pair of layups to bring the advantage back down to 20 points. The lead was still 20 when Jack Miller knocked down a three with 7:23 on the clock to push the score to 58-35. Timochenko gave LVC their largest lead of the game at 25 on a putback with 6:17 remaining. The eagles were able to get the lead down to 17 with three minute to go before Gabe Cerulli scored three straight points to push it back up to 20. A free throw with 1:52 remaining set the final score at 66-47 as neither team made a field goal over the final two minutes.
 
Inside the Box

• LVC improved to 3-0 to start a normal season for the first time since 2017-18. LVC also started the 2021 abbreviated season 6-0.
• Timochenko recorded his third double-double to begin the year with a game-high 17 points and 10 rebounds. The forward also added four assists.
• Harder shot 60-percent from the floor for 15 points. The guard dished out five assists.
• Smith was the third Dutchman in double figures with 10 points.
• Hofsass finished with six points, four rebounds, and two assists.
• Tang had four assists, four rebounds, and two steals.
• Penn scored six points and grabbed five rebounds.
• The Dutchmen shot 50-percent from the field and 45-percent from beyond the arc.

Up Next
The Dutchmen will play the first home game of the year on Wednesday as they welcome Penn College to Sorrentino Gymnasium. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. in Annville.

Stay Connected
Be sure to follow @lvcathletics on Instagram, X, and Facebook for the most in-depth coverage of LVC Athletics.