PHOENIXVILLE, PA – The Valley Forge Christian College men's basketball team dropped their first game of the season in the opening round of the Holiday Inn Express Tip-Off Classic on Thursday. Falling by a 70-64 final score to the Lincoln University Red Lions (Lincoln, IL), the Patriots drop to 2-1 on the season.
Tonight's game was a back and forth battle, each team fighting for control throughout. The Patriots started the scoring early, opening to a 9-2 lead early in the game. The Red Lions battled back to tie the game and then open to their own seven point lead midway through the first half. Valley Forge retook the lead with just over 5:00 to play in the first half and were able to hold a six point margin at the break.
The second half was much of the same tempo for both teams, a back-and-forth chess match, each team wrestling for the advantage. The Patriots' lead was kept to single digits early in the second, and by the midpoint mark, Lincoln Christian had clawed their way back, contesting VFCC's lead. Both teams exchanged buckets for the next few minutes, but with five minutes remaining in the game, the Red Lions found themselves with the advantage. The Patriots would get as close as three points in the waning seconds, but were forced to foul and send Lincoln Christian to the line. Valley Forge was not able to capitalize off of missed Red Lions free throws as LCU held on for the win.
Neither team was impressive from the floor tonight, missing layups and easy put backs, as both teams shot under 37% from the field. Rebounding would be the deciding statistic, with LCU controlling the boards 56-42, including 38 defensive rebounds keeping the Patriots' scoring chances to a minimum.
Leading the Patriots tonight was senior
Lance Harris who led all scorers with 16 points and nine rebounds.
Freshman
Tony Hazzard followed with 14 points and eight rebounds.
Lincoln Christian was led to victory by David Graves as he recorded the games only double-double, finishing with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Graves was followed by Anthony Rush who added 12 points of his own.
Valley Forge will look to rebound tomorrow, Saturday, when they host the Saints of Hillsdale Free Will Baptist College (Moore, OK) in the second round of the Holiday Inn Express Tip-Off Classic. Game time is scheduled for 8 pm.
