Annville, PA (January 18, 2025) - The DeSales University men's basketball team shot just 30.4 percent in the second-half surrendering a 16-point second-half lead in a 60-54 loss at Lebanon Valley College in MAC Freedom action on Saturday afternoon.

The Basics

• Final Score: Lebanon Valley - 60, DeSales - 54
• Records: DeSales (8-7, 2-2 MAC Freedom); Lebanon Valley (8-7, 2-2 MAC Freedom)
• The loss snaps a three-game winning streak in the series for DeSales as LVC takes a 12-11 lead in the all-time series.

How it Happened

• Tied early, DeSales scored 10 straight points, eight from first-year Luke Keppel, to tkae a 16-6 lead eight minutes into the game.
• The Bulldogs continued to torch the nets from beyond the arc, hitting 6-for-12 in the first-half, to lead by as many as 16 points, and take a 32-19 halftime lead.
• A three from junior Brendan Boyle pushed the lead back to 16 to start the half and it was 15 points (41-26) with 14:12 remaining.
• LVC began its rally from there using a 14-2 run over the next six minutes to get within three points (43-40).
• It went back and forth for the next few minutes before LVC tied the game at 48 with 4:43 to go.
• Senior Caleb Gibbs hit two free throws to give the Bulldogs a 50-48 lead with 2:29 left.
• A 3 from the Flying Dutchmen was answered by a lay-up from first-year Jayden Daniels at the 1:24 mark.
• Lebanon Valley was fouled on its next possession and hit both free throws retaking a one point lead.
• Gibbs was fouled on DSU's next possession but he missed both free throws and LVC hit a three-pointer with 30 seconds left.
• Thomas scored again to make it a two point game with 18 ticks left but a layup from LVC on the next possession made it a four-point game and DSU was unable to get any closer.

Top Bulldog Performers

• Senior Devin Atkinson led the Bulldogs with 13 points, seven rebounds, and four assists.
• Gibbs also had double digits with 12 points and Keppel had 10 tallies off the bench.

For the Foes

• Ryan Harder led the Flying Dutchmen with 18 points.
• Braden Bohannon finished with 15 points.

Inside the Box Score

• DSU shot just 36.0 percent from the field for the game and was just 2-for-12 from outside the arc in the second-half.
• LVC hit 52.0 percent from the field in the second-half and scored 41 second-half points.
• The Bulldogs committed 22 turnovers which led to 21 points for Lebanon Valley.

Up Next

• DSU is back in action on Wednesday when they travel to Stevens for another important MAC Freedom game set to begin at 7:00 pm.