March 12, 2025

KNIGHTS LOSE HEARTBREAKER IN NATIONAL ELITE 8

Vermont State University Randolph

21-13

Penn State Mont Alto

25-4

Final

Vermont State University Randolph 21-13

Penn State Mont Alto 25-4

Buffalo, NY: After defeating the defending national champs the day before, Vermont State University Randolph men's basketball team advanced to the USCAA quarterfinals where theY would face the #1 overall seeded Penn State Mont Alto. After leading for 31 minutes of the game, a few missed opportunities and a few unfortunate calls saw the Knights fall 48-43.

VTSU- Randolph punched the Lions in the mouth early opening up with an 11-2 run, as a 3 by Tyler Allen got the Knights going, followed by 8 straight points by Jaden Clark, who carried over his dominance from the first round. The Knights were able to keep the Mont Alto at arms length through the first half, but went cold and only held a 22-18 going into the break. The second half was a back and forth game. With the Knights struggling to score, the Lions captured their first lead with 12:05 (31-33) to go in the contest. The Knights would regain the lead when Allen and Shandon Danne- Anderson responded with the layups. The Lions big front line seem to wear the Knights down as they were able to build a 6 point lead 43-37. VTSU-Randolph would do what they have been doing all season and went to their 2 big time playmakers. Jaylon Calvin and Allen answer the called hitting back to back threes to tie the game at 43. Unfortunately, that would be the last points the Knights would score. The Knights got the stop they needed defensively, but a late foul call on a rebound gave the Lions free throws to take the lead and eventually win the game. "It hurts ofcourse. I thought we played well enough defensively to win the game." Coach Hughes said. " We know we can't leave the game in the hands of officials, because we might not like some of the calls. I am so proud of my guys and how they represented the university and the town of Randolph. We had the #1 team in the country on the ropes, so I think we saw that we were right there."

The Knights national title hopes are over, but they do play in the consolation game tomorrow at 1pm vs. Bucks County out of Pennsylvannia.