JOHNSON, VT – The Vermont State University Johnson Men's Basketball team returned to the court Saturday, hosting SUNY Morrisville. The Johnson Badgers opened the game quickly, with a layup from center David Greer and jumper from Gerald Pitt Jr. to sit at 4-0. The Morrisville Mustangs first connected with a layup seconds later and extended this effort with a 10-2 run. Maintaining their composure, the Badgers responded with controlled play and team effort, consisting of baskets from all five of their starters in the following five minutes. The Badgers would keep the Mustangs within reach until evening the score again at 31-31 with five minutes remaining in the opening half. Continued team play found Johnson take their first lead since the opening minutes when Travis Baker hit a timely jumper with 3:35 to go before halftime, elevating the Badgers to 35-33. The opening half closed with a score of 41-37, in Johnson's favor. The combined effort of the team was highlighted by the fact that the Badgers' three leading scorers were within two points of each other; Greer posting ten, Maleek View contributing nine, and Mohammed Semega adding eight.

The second half found both teams come out strong and evenly matched, with the first four minutes keeping the teams within one at 49-48, Johnson leading. Nazir Gossette extended the lead to three with a long jumper just inside the arc, before the Mustangs evened the score at 51 apiece with 14:40 left on the clock. Morrisville gradually widened the gap to nine with a 66-57 lead, before Gossette responded with an offensive rebound and jumper to bring the Badgers within seven. This would be the closest the Badgers kept the Mustangs for the duration of the game, as Morrisville pulled away to a final score of 91-78.

Men's Basketball returns to action on Saturday, February 10 as the Badgers travel to Canton, NY to face the Roos. Game time is schedule for 1:00 pm.