Photo Courtesy: Bill DiLillo Photography
BENNINGTON, Vt. - The Lesley University Lynx defeated the Southern Vermont College men's basketball team 59-58 in the New England Collegiate Conference quarterfinals Tuesday night in the Field House. Lesley was led by guard John Sanchez with 22 points, while the Mountaineers were led by guard Lance Spratling with 20 points and seven rebounds.
With the win the Lynx advance to the NECC Semifinals versus the number one seeded Becker College Hawks (17-8, 13-1 NECC), which is slated for Friday, February 26, at 6:00 p.m at Becker.
Southern Vermont led the Lynx after the first half 34-32 behind Spratling's 10 points and freshman guard Derrick Cenicola's nine points. Sanchez led the offensive surge for Lesley with nine points.
The second half saw each squad tie the game three times each, with the final tie coming with 2:33 left in the game. Sanchez had 13 points in the second half on 5-of-5 shooting for Lesley. Senior guard Matt Grassa put the Lynx up by one with a free throw with 1:36 remaining in regulation. Spratling brought SVC within one on a free throw with less than a minute to go. The Mountaineers had two opportunities in the closing minutes to score but the shots did not fall bringing an end to SVC's season.
Junior center Jesus Trejo scored nine points and pulled down a game-high 16 rebounds for the Lynx. Junior guard Thorton Paul added nine points and Grassa chipped in seven to round out the box for Lesley.
Cenicola had 11 points, including three triples, and he also had four assists. Sophomore guard Avery Mitchell had a stellar game off the bench with nine points and seven assists. Sophomore forward Cameron Herrington chipped in eight points, pulled down six rebounds, and tallied two blocks for the Mountaineers.