Lesley University, 79 vs. Vermont State University (VTSU) Johnson, 89

Records: 
Lesley University Lynx (4-18, 1-9 NAC)
VTSU Johnson Badgers (6-15, 3-7 NAC) 

Location: Lexington, Mass.-Minuteman Gymnasium

Date: Saturday, February 1, 2025

THE LEAD— In a game that saw seven ties and six lead changes, the Lesley University men's basketball team came up short Saturday versus Vermont State Johnson, 89-79. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• In the opening moments of the first half, both sides match the other's play. While VTSU Johnson held an early 10-8 lead, Nathaniel Maldonado (Bronx, N.Y.) even things at 10 after making a driving layup. However, the Badgers were able to generate breathing room and went up 18-12 after Matthew Carter knocked down a three with 9:53 left until halftime. 
• Despite the VTSU Johnson lead, the Lynx stormed back and grabbed a 20-18 lead behind an 8-0 run, which led to a Badgers timeout. Hezekiah Brown (Stafford, Va.) spearheaded the Lynx rally with four points. Coming out of the break, both sides traded baskets, and after a Tavon Rhodes (Dorchester, Mass.) made it a one-point game (25-24), the VTSU Johnson offense gained momentum and pushed its lead up to 12 (37-25) courtesy of a 12-1 surge before the Lynx called a timeout. 
• After the timeout, Lesley pulled within seven (43-36) after a Tarell Joseph (Hempstead, N.Y.) layup. As the quarter went on, Rhodes made a driving layup with 19 seconds left, and the Lynx went into halftime down 43-38. 
• As the second half got underway, Raymond Baka gave the visitors an early six-point lead (47-41) after he slammed home a driving dunk. However, the Lynx were not deterred and tied things at 49 thanks to an 8-2 scoring run, forcing the Badgers to call a timeout. Joseph led the push with five points, highlighted by a tying three-pointer. 
• Coming out of the break, Lesley retook the lead (52-51) after Rhodes converted an and-one opportunity with 15:23 remaining. Despite pulling back ahead, VTSU Johnson took the lead back and would go up seven (63-56) behind a 12-4 scoring stretch, and the Lynx would call another timeout. Baka would once again lead a Badgers rally by chipping in seven points.
• As both sides returned to action, VTSU Johnson continued to keep the Lynx at bay, but the squad pulled back within six (70-64) after Malachi Howard (Winter Haven, Fla.) hit a layup with less than 10 minutes left to play (8:05). Unfortunately the Badgers defense continued to hold firm the rest of the way as VTSU Johnson would not let Lesley get any closer and would ultimately hold on for an 89-79 win. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS 

• Brown tied his career-high with 21 points on a 7-12 shooting clip. The sophomore guard has now scored 21 points in back-to-back games this year.
• Lesley's other scorers in double-figures included Joseph who had a season-high 20 points on 8-16 shooting. Rhodes was the other scorer in double figures with 17 points on the afternoon. 
• On the glass, Howard led the Lynx with 10 boards. He has now finished with 10 or more rebounds in two of his last three contests. 
• Baker finished with a double-double posting game highs in points (24) and rebounds (14) Saturday afternoon. 
• The Badgers also saw four others reach double figures, including Raymond Baka (21 points), Matthew Carter (21 points), and Luka Sward (11 points).

UP NEXT

• Lesley continues its four-game homestand on Friday, February 7, at 7:30 p.m., when it plays SUNY Delhi. Next Friday's contest will also be the Lynx's Senior Day.