THE BASICS 
Lesley University, 72 at SUNY Delhi, 78

Records: 
Lesley University Lynx (3-7, 0-1 NAC)
SUNY Delhi Broncos (5-6, 2-0, NAC) 

Location: Delhi, N.Y. - Floyd L. Maines Arena

Date: Friday, December 6, 2024

THE LEAD— In a game that saw five ties and four lead changes, the Lesley University men's basketball team came up short in a double overtime heartbreaker at SUNY Delhi, 78-72, Friday evening.  

HOW IT HAPPENED

• After SUNY Delhi started the first with a 7-1 advantage less than three minutes in, Lesley did not let the large lead intimidate them as the squad responded with a 9-5 spurt and pulled within two (12-10) after Jaxon Miles (Arlington, Texas) knocked down a three at the 13:55 mark. However, the Broncos gave themselves some breathing room later in the half and were up four (16-12) after a Louis Gastarling free throw.
• Even with the multi-basket lead, the Lynx were able to hold strong and earned their first lead of the night (18-16) when Tavon Rhodes (Dorchester, Mass.) hit a layup with 8:39 left until halftime. 
• Later in the half, after Solomon Mason knocked down a three to give SUNY Delhi a 19-18 advantage, Lesley responded and stormed ahead for its largest lead of the half (32-23) courtesy of a 14-4 run. During the Lynx's offensive surge, CJ Leonard (Raynham, Mass.) led the way with five points. For the remainder of the half, Lesley's defense held firm and went into halftime with a 34-30 advantage.
• As the second half got underway, the Lynx grabbed their largest lead in the game (45-34) by outscoring the Broncos 11-4. Tarell Joseph (Hempstead, N.Y.) spearheaded the Lynx's hot start to the second with four points, and Angelo Blas (North Port, Fla.) chipped in three points. 
• Lesley kept SUNY Delhi at bay for most of the contest, and after a Rhodes layup put the Lynx up seven (54-47) with 4:36 left. Unfortunately, the Broncos offense woke up and stormed back to even things at 55 behind an 8-1 rally led by three points from Warren Davis, including the game-tying basket with 1:44 remaining. 
• With four seconds left in regulation, Howard had a great look for the game-winner after Joseph drove and kicked it out to the forward, whose three fell just short from the left elbow, leading to overtime.
• In overtime, Lesley raced out to an early five-point lead (62-57) after Jelanie Morgan (Atlanta, Ga.) knocked down a three with 2:37 left in overtime. Despite the lead, SUNY Delhi knotted things up at 64 thanks to a 7-2 push highlighted by two crucial free throws from Davis that tied things up.
• With seven seconds remaining in overtime, Joseph had a chance for the game-winner after he drove hard to the right side for a layup but was turned away by the Bronco's defense, which led to double overtime. 
• Both sides played strong defense early in the second overtime, and after a Joseph layup tied things at 66, SUNY Delhi held off any Lynx momentum as the hosts pushed ahead by four (72-68) when Lester McCarthy hit a crucial three, leading to a Lesley timeout with 1:05 left.
• Coming out of the break, SUNY Delhi did not let Lesley get any closer than four and closed out the second overtime outscoring Lesley 6-4 for the eventual 78-72 win. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS  

• Joseph led the Lynx with a season-high 17 points on 8-18 shooting Friday night. The junior guard has now scored 10 or more points in four of his last five contests.
• Howard posted his third double-double of the season with 11 points and 12 boards. Howard also set a new career-high in steals with six. 
• Lesley's other scorers in double figures were Blas and Rhodes finishing with 11 and 10 points respectively. 
• Isiah Barnes led all scorers on the night by going for 21 points and also led the Broncos on the glass with 14 boards. Barnes was also the lead facilitator for SUNY Delhi by dishing out nine assists.
• The two other scorers in double-figures for SUNY Delhi were Davis with 18 points and McCarthy at 15 points.
• Lesley held a slight advantage in shooting percentage by shooting 37.3 percent (28-75) from the field, whereas SUNY Delhi shot 36.2 percent (25-69). 

UP NEXT

• Lesley continues its New York NAC road trip, taking on SUNY Cobleskill tomorrow at 3:00 p.m.