Men’s Basketball Edged by Blazers, 84-81

Men’s Basketball Edged by Blazers, 84-81

CHICOPEE, Mass. — The Northern Vermont University-Johnson men's basketball team battled with Elms College in a non-conference game on Saturday afternoon. Unable to close the gap in the final minute of play, the Badgers were edged by Elms by a score of 84-81. 

Four players scored in double figures for NVU-Johnson in the loss. The Badgers were led by Robert Dubose Jr. who contributed 21 points, six rebounds, three steals, and three assists. Dubose Jr. went 7-12 from the field in his efforts. Floyd Davis added 14 points and eight rebounds, going 5-8 from the field. Kiyl Mack added 14 points and three rebounds and Jaymes Savage scored 10 points and three rebounds. 

Double-digit scoring by D.J. Edelen and Nikolas Brown gave Elms the edge in the first 20 minutes of action. Down 41-37 entering the second half, Dubose Jr. and Mack led the Badgers as they sought to re-take control from the Blazers. Storming out on a 24-6 run, Johnson took control of the tempo and earned a six point advantage with eight minutes left in action. It was the Blazers that took the win 84-81 off a game high 23 points by Edelen and a double-double from Kewan Smoot, who scored 16 points and pulled down 13 rebounds. Johnson's Kiyl Mack tallied 12 of his 14 points in the second half going an impressive 66.7% from the field and 4-4 from the charity stripe.

The Badgers shot 49.1% from the field for the game and went 22-26 from the foul line. The Blazers controlled the game from behind the arc, going 38.5% on 10-26 shooting compared to the Badgers' 3-14 performance.

The Northern Vermont University-Johnson men's basketball team will kick off the second semester with a North Atlantic Conference matchup versus the SUNY Delhi Broncos on Monday, January 6th. The game is set to begin at 5:00pm.