SALISBURY, MD- The University of Valley Forge Men's Basketball team kicked off their 2014-2015 season at the Optimist Classic hosted by Salisbury University. In the first round, the Patriots were matched up against Dickenson College and dropped their season opener, 59-90.

Before the match even started the Patriots knew they had a fight before them.  Dickinson is currently ranked 14th in the NCAA III and finished their 2013-2014 season with a loss in the Elite 8 of the NCAA III National Tournament.  As expected, both teams came out swinging from the toss.  The Dickenson Devils marked the board first with a bucket from behind the arch but ten seconds later Kevin Mack responded with a jump shot to place the Patriots right behind the Devils, 2-3.  From there it was a horse race as the teams exchanged the lead four times and tied three times.  With 6:13 left of the board the Patriots held their largest lead of the game, up five points, 27-22. 

It was the last time the Patriots would hold the lead or even remain close to the Devils.  After recording their 27^th points, the Patriots watched as the Devils went on an 18-3 run, dominating at the glass and from the floor.  The Patriots were held to just shooting 30% while the Devils prevailed with 56%.  As the clock ran down the Devils stretched out their lead and gathered their first season win, 90-59.

Both teams committed 15 turnovers and despite the Patriots converting 20 points off of the Devils mistakes, the game came down to rebounds.  The Dickinson out-rebounded UVF, 44-22.  Compounded with shooting just 33% from the floor, compared to the Devils 59%, the Patriots were simply outplayed.

In the loss senior Kevin Mack recorded a game high, 24 points in addition to two assists and two steals.  Freshman Jalen Archer followed with 10 points.

The team moves on to the consolation round of the Optimist Classic, going up against Bryn Athyn College, Sunday, November 16. 

Go Patriots!