BENNINGTON, Vt. – Southern Vermont Men's Basketball defeated NECC opponent Elms College for the first time in school history, 84-82. Leading the way for the Mountaineers was Lance Spratling and Ben Naaktgeboren with a double-double each.
The Blazers started the game on a 9-0 run before SVC was able to score its first basket of the game. Both teams traded baskets back-to-back for the rest of the first half. Elms College was up 43-37 at the half way point.
Elms was up by as much as 10 points with 16:23 remaining in the game. The Mountaineers took its first lead of the game with 7:12 remaining in the game. SVC played solid basketball the rest of the game and came away with the 84-82 win over second place Elms. The Mountaineers improved to 12-8, 6-3 (NECC) and Elms dropped to 13-6, 6-2 (NECC).
Leading the way for Southern Vermont was Spratling with 28 points and 10 rebounds. Naaktgeboren also tallied a double-double with 17 points and 13 boards. Derrick Cenicola and Taeshon Johnson each added 18 and 17 points respectively.
Cecil Avant led the way for the Blazers with 19 points while Juan Alverio had a double-double with 16 points and 13 boards. Edgar Martinez, Darius Griffin and Brittain Purcelle added 15, 11 and 10 for the Blazers.
The Mountaineers return to action hosting Lesley College at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 5th. Tip-off is slated for 1:00 p.m.