For Immediate Release – 2/18/08 - #206
LC Men Fall In ODAC Thriller to
LYNCHBURG, VA – The Roanoke College men’s basketball team used a 17-0 run over a three-minute stretch late in the second to propel the Maroons to an 85-79 victory over the host Hornets of Lynchburg College in Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) action from Turner Gymnasium.
The Hornets fell behind early, trailing 15-4 with 15:01 in the first half. LC fought back, outscoring the Maroons 36-15 over the rest of the first stanza to take a five-point lead heading into the break.
Roanoke (16-7/10-6 ODAC) came out after intermission inspired, as they shot 70 percent in the second half, hitting six of eight from deep. The game remained close until 7:38, when a triple from guard Melvin Felix ignited the decisive 17-0 run, which put the Hornets down 14 with 3:50 to go. LC clawed back, cutting the lead to four with 21 seconds to go, but key free throws for the Maroons sealed the win.
LC (3-20/1-15 ODAC) was led on the scoresheet by senior Kwame Safo (Vienna, VA/George C. Marshall), who scored a team-high 24 points to go with six boards. Mason Wooldridge (New Canton, VA/Fork Union) posted a double-double with 15 points and 13 caroms, while sophomore guard Steven Echols (Martinsville, VA/Carlisle) added 15 points on 6-11 shooting.
RC got stellar play from Josh LaPorte, who filled the stat sheet with eight boards, eight assists and a career-high 26 points. Felix hit all six shots he took from the field, also hitting six of eight from the charity stripe for 22 points. Zach Milton and Ben Shrader each knocked down two three balls, scoring 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Lynchburg finishes its home slate Wednesday when the Hornets take on Hampden-Sydney College at 7 p.m. in Turner Gym. The Hornets will honor the careers of three seniors before the game: Safo, Evan Fancourt (Greensboro, NC/Grimsley) and Jason Early (Radnor, PA/Radnor).
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