For immediate release - 11/18/2008 - #127
Men's Basketball Falls 80-69 in Season Opener on the Road
CINCINNATI, OH - The Lynchburg College men's basketball team opened the 2008-09 season on the road with an 80-69 loss to the College of Mount St. Joseph in the Mount St. Joseph's Tournament.
The Hornets were leading 36-33 at the half, but MSJ scored eight out of the first 10 points to open the half a take a lead they would never relinquish. Lynchburg was led by Steven Echols' (Martinsville, VA/Carlisle) 25 points, making all 14 of his attempts from the free throw line, along with four rebounds and four assists. KC Mendez (San Antonio, TX/Winston Churchill) added 12 points, six rebounds, and two steals, and Jeff Langrock (Southbury, CT/Pomperaug) tallied 11 rebounds - eight of the offensive variety. Kyle Gerlufsen (Point Pleasant Beach, NJ/Point Pleasant Beach) contributed with a career-high nine points while Brad Kenney (Advance, NC/Bishop McGuinness) chipped in with seven points and five boards.
Michael Romes led Mount Saint Joseph with 25 points and added six rebounds, Mitchell Goldschmidt posted 17 points, and Kyle McCord and Robert Walker combined to contribute 20 points and 13 caroms.
MSJ (2-0) outshot LC (0-1) 46% to 32% and made 29 of 40 attempts from the charity stripe while LC made 24 of 29 attempts. Mount Saint Joseph connected on seven of 18 shots from three point land while LC converted on just five of 24 attempts. LC dominated on the offensive boards, tallying 18 to just six for MSJ, which led LC to having an 18-1 advantage in second chance points. For the game, LC outrebounded MSJ 43-32, but MSJ won the turnover battle 16-13.
The Hornets will play Spalding College Saturday in the consolation match at 3 p.m.
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