PHOENIXVILLE, PA- The University of Valley Forge men's basketball team celebrated their home opener in fine fashion with convincing win over Kuyper College.  Not only was it the Patriots opening night, it was the first round of the Holiday Inn Express Tip-Off Classic.  The Patriots dominated the game from start to end, finishing with a final score of 97-82.

After a few missed shots from both benches, the Patriots settled down and moved into a rhythm.  Led by Jean LeBlanc and Kevin Mack for a powerful shooting combination, the Patriots leapt out to a solid lead over the Cougars, holding between a five and 10 point advantage over the visitors.  Going into the locker rooms, Valley Forge led the Cougars 46-36.

Into the second verse the Patriots continued to improve their game, stretching their lead to 21 points, 69-48, with 13:06 on the clock.  The Cougars managed to decrease the Patriots advantage to just 12 points, 87-75, with just under four minutes of play left but that would be as close as they would get.  The Patriots high pressure defense forced the Cougars to turn the ball over 15 times in the second half alone.

Refusing to relinquish their lead, the Patriots walked off the court with their first home victory and first victory of the Classic.

Kevin Mack played a solid game with 32 points, five assists and three steals.  Jean LeBlanc added 25 points, going 7-for-9 from behind the arc.  Joseph Taylor finished with 14 points and six steals while Thorne McIntosh notched 6 rebounds, six points and two steals.

The men forced 27 turnovers and grabbed 19 steals while shooting 55% from the floor.

The men turn to face Trinity Baptist College, tomorrow, Friday, November 21.  The game is set for 8PM, immediately following the women's game against Trinity Baptist.

Go Patriots!