Box Score

ANNVILLE, Pa. – In a key conference showdown that ended the first half of conference play, men's basketball (12-6, 4-3 Commonwealth) never found a rhythm offensively and fell to the Lebanon Valley College Dutchmen (11-6, 3-4) by the score of 70-58 on Saturday afternoon at LVC Gymnasium.

Lebanon Valley jumped out to a quick lead that they would never relinquish on their home court. While Albright struggled early and often on the offensive end, the Dutchmen were able to gradually build their lead throughout the first half. Two free throws with 9:37 to play in the period by Joey Giangiobbe gave Lebanon Valley a 16-6 lead and their first double digit advantage of the afternoon. Albright was able to cut into the lead at times, but the Red & White found themselves down 33-25 heading into the halftime break.

The second half was much of the same story for the Red & White. The visitors weren't able to make a decisive run, and Lebanon Valley would expand their lead to 53-38 with 9:34 left in the contest. Albright would cut the lead to nine on a layup by Cornell Mickens with three minutes to go, but that would be as close as they would get as the Dutchmen held on for the conference victory.

The Red & White shot just 25 for 68 from the field for the game and hit only three of 20 three-point attempts, while the Dutchmen shot 22 for 54 and 3 for 11 from behind the arc. Lebanon Valley's major advantage came at the free-throw line. The home team hit 23 of their 36 attempts, while Albright only attempted eight free throws for the game. The Dutchmen also outrebounded the Red & White 45-40.

Lebanon Valley was led by the backcourt duo of Joe Meehan and Anthony Trautman. Meehan finished with 22 points, six rebounds and six assists, while Trautman dropped in 20 points for the game. Danny Brooks and Grant Becker also finished in doubles figures for the Dutchmen with 12 and 10 points.

Albright was led by a double-double from Derek Hall, who notched 13 points and ten rebounds. Jeff Sparrow and Mickens also finished in double digits for the game. Sparrow had 11 points on 5 for 10 shooting, while Mickens came off the bench to provide 14 points on 7 for 11 shooting in only 17 minutes of play.

Men's basketball will take a week off before returning to action next Saturday in conference play against Lycoming College at 4 p.m. in the Bollman Center.