JOHNSON, Vt.-The Northern Vermont University-Johnson men's basketball team earned the sixth seed in the North Atlantic Conference Tournament on Tuesday evening after beating rival NVU-Lyndon by a score of 77-71.

Robert Dubose led all scorers in the win scoring 29 points and also recording six rebounds, and one assist. Freshman Floyd Davis scored 12 points and grabbed a game high 17 rebounds which is the third highest in program history for a single game. Tyhee Taylor, Kiyl Mack and Jaymes Savage also had strong contributions in the win. Taylor scored 15 points and converted on 3-5 shots from behind the arc. Mack recorded 11 points, eight rebounds and three blocks and Savage rounded out the top performers for the Badgers scoring eight points on 4-7 shooting. 

The Badgers opened up the game on a 20-11 run but it wouldn't last as the Hornets would close the gap and eventually take the 21-20 lead with 8:14 left in the first half. Both sides traded baskets for the remainder of the half and the Hornets took the slight 37-34 lead headed into the break. 

In the second half, the Badgers came out hot opening the half up on a 7-1 run. It wasn't until eight minutes remaining in the half that the Badgers gained their largest lead of the half, leading by six.  The Hornets would counter but could never gain the advantage to take a lead late in the second half. 

NVU-Lyndon had three players score in double figures led by Damon Denteh who scored a team high 15 points. Luke Fredsell recorded 14 points off the bench and Zach Falkenburg ounded out the Hornet's top performers with 10 points.

Second chance points were the difference as the Badgers outrebounded the Hornets 45-28 on the evening.

With the win the Badgers improve to 7-18 on the season and 5-8 in the NAC to conclude the regular season. Men's basketball will travel to either Thomas College or Husson University on Saturday, February 22 to compete in the NAC Playoff Quarterfinals.