Knights Top Rival Lynx

The Vermont Tech Men's Basketball Team posted its ninth victory of the season Wednesday night by topping YSCC rival NHTI, 96-86.

Senior shooting guard Kevin Carr (Westminster, MD) led the Knights with 26 points, hitting on 11 of 18 shots from the field. Point guard Alex Tyrrell (Sydney, Australia) added 18 points and junior post Josh Lindsey (Palm Bay, FL) put in 17. Junior Jhason Clark (Albany, NY), playing in only his third game of the season due to a fractured patella, helped tremendously, ending the game with nine points, along with freshman guard Kevin Phillips (Troy, NY) who also contributed nine.

The game see-sawed for the opening fifteen minutes. The action was intense and physical, with each team taking their turn with the lead. Over the final three minutes of the first half the Knights slightly broke open the game by going on a run that had them up by 12. With only seven seconds remaining in the half, NHTI's Besfort Syla managed to get off an off balance shot under heavy defensive pressure, and the ball went through the net as the horn sounded. The basket gave NHTI some much needed momentum, and made the score 46-36 at the break.

In the second half, the Knights hounded the Lynx, turning up the defensive pressure and converting numerous NHTI turnovers into immediate points. With seven minutes remaining, Vermont Tech rested on a 28 point lead, the lead of the night. Confident in his team's margin, Coach Dyer took out starters Carr, Tyrrell and Lindsey. However, the game was not completely in hand, as NHTI made a furious 18-2 run featuring five consecutive three pointers by lefty guard Zach Stevens. Stevens hit nine three pointers in total for the game, finishing with a game high 34 points. After a few timeouts, the Knights were able to calm themselves and stem the tide of the Lynx's 3 point attack, eventually taking the 10 point victory. 

"It's a good night anytime you can come out on top against NHTI," said Coach Dyer after the game.  "They are a tough team and are only going to get better. I thought we did a pretty good job in our zone defense in the second half.  We were able to force some passing errors that resulted in some quick transition baskets.  The turnover margin was probably the biggest factor in the game." NHTI turned the ball over 23 times, compared to the Knight's 12.

The Knights are now 9-1 on the season and stand 6-1 in the Yankee Small College Conference. On Saturday, December 10th Vermont Tech plays host to Paul Smith's College wiht the game beginning at 1pm.