JOHNSON, Vt.-The Northern Vermont University-Johnson men's basketball team faced Middlebury College in their final home game before Thanksgiving in Carter Gymnasium on Tuesday evening. The Panthers edged the Badgers by a score of 87-77.
Four players scored in double figures for NVU-Johnson. The team was led by Ayodeji Shokeye who scored 17 points off the bench. Robert Dubose Jr. added 13 points and Floyd Davis and Zach Shedd chipped in 12 points apiece. Shedd recorded a team high eight rebounds. In the first half the Badgers shot 46.7% from the field but allowed the Panthers to shoot an impressive 51.4% While making seven first half threes. The Badgers took a 14-point deficit headed into the break trailing Middlebury College by a score of 46-32.
In the second stint of action the Badgers came out strong and controlled the tempo. Kiyl Mack and Tyhee Taylor impacted the game defensively turning the Panthers over. Taylor snatched three steals in the contest. NVU-Johnson capitalized on opportunities to score and outscored the Panthers 45-41 in the second half. Middlebury had five players reach double figures and were led by Max Bosco who scored a team high 16 points on 6-10 shooting.
The Badgers closed the deficit in the second half and trailed by as low as nine points. NVU-Johnson won the turnover battle forcing 18 turnovers and only giving the ball away 14 times.
With the loss the Badgers fall to 2-5 on the season and return to action for their first conference game of the season at Maine Maritime Academy on December 7th.