ALLENTOWN, Pa. – The Lebanon Valley men's basketball team had 10 players make a field goal in a tough 79-59 defeat at Muhlenberg College on Saturday afternoon at Memorial Hall in Allentown.
 
Jason Penn started the game with a three-pointer on the right wing off a pass from Reed Melvin. The Mules (5-3) answered with a bucket at the other end to start a 9-0 run over the next three minutes. Penn drove to the hole and scored on a driving layup to cut the deficit to four. Muhlenberg answered with a pair of free throws and a three-pointer, before Demarcus Bandy found Phil Unangst underneath the basket for a layup. The Mules then hit back-to-back three-pointers to take a 20-7 lead as LVC called a timeout to slow the momentum.
 
The timeout worked for the Dutchmen on defense as they held the Mules scoreless over the next three minutes. The offense struggled to get going as a Giovanni Sejuste layup and a Bandy free throw were the only points the Dutchmen were able to score during the stretch. The Mules ended their drought with a deep three-pointer on the left wing and then a steal and bucket. Michael Main got out in transition following a rebound by Bandy and scored while driving to the hoop and being fouled. He converted the shot at the line to get the lead down to 25-13.
 
Muhlenberg used an 11-2 run over the next four minutes to increase the advantage to 21. Melvin scored on back-to-back possessions, and then Unangst scored on a three-point play to cut the deficit down to 39-22 with just under two to play in the half. Penn Unangst and Tang scored over the final two minutes to propel a 6-5 run to give LVC a little momentum heading into halftime.
 
The Mules started the second half strong with the first seven points. Melvin scored in the paint before Tyler Kerlin knocked down a three-pointer on the left wing. The Dutchmen kept battling against the Mules as Tang hit two foul shots. Muhlenberg countered with the next five points, and Luke Chilton powered his way down low for a layup. The Mules led 61-37 when Bandy and Chilton led a 7-2 run for the Dutchmen that brought the deficit back down to 19 points. Bandy closed out the run with a steal and a layup.
 
Muhlenberg countered with the next five points before Bandy recorded back-to-back steals, finding Aaron Lacy open under the hoop after his first steal. Melvin ignited a 7-0 run with a three-pointer on the left wing. Unangst had a steal, and Tang pulled up on the left wing for a jumper in transition. Melvin stole the ball, and Unangst put back a miss on a layup. The Mules responded to the run with a 7-0 run of their own to go up 79-55 with a minute left. Lacy knocked down two free throws and tipped in an offensive rebound over the final minute to set the final score.
 
Inside the Box

• Melvin led the Dutchmen with 11 points on 5-10 shooting from the field. The first-year scored in double figures for the sixth time this year.
• Unangst was 4-6 from the field and made one free throw for nine points. The sophomore also pulled down three rebounds in his first collegiate start.
• Bandy added eight points, three rebounds, three assists, and three steals in 20 minutes off the bench.
• Penn had seven points while Tang and Lacy scored six each. Tang added three steals and three assists to his stat line.
• Sejuste had a team-high five rebounds and scored two points with one block.
• Chilton had four points while Main and Kerlin poured in three each.
• The Dutchmen scored 34 points in the paint and had 19 points off 13 Muhlenberg turnovers.
• LVC committed a season-low nine turnovers.

Up Next
The Dutchmen will begin a four-game homestand to close out non-conference play on Wednesday, Dec. 17, as Lancaster Bible College makes the trip to Sorrentino Gymnasium for the first time since 2011. Tip-off against the Chargers is scheduled for 5 p.m. in Annville.

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