READING, Pa. – Albright and Lebanon Valley engaged in a classic on the conference's biggest stage as the Dutchmen edged the Lions, 70-68, in the MAC Commonwealth Championship Game on Saturday afternoon at Bollman Center. The lead changed hands 11 times in the second half and twice in the final minute.

The drama didn't start in that final minute, but that's where it reached its crescendo. Fred Rowles cut the Lebanon Valley lead to two, 67-65, on a jumper with 1:14 remaining. After an empty possession for the Dutchmen, MAC Commonwealth Player of the Year DeJuan Smith put the Lions ahead. He took a pass on the right wing and drove to the free throw line. With the defense collapsing, Smith stepped back, creating space for a three pointer near the top of the key. He drained it to give the Lions a 68-67 lead with 35 seconds left.

After a timeout, Lebanon Valley set up a play for Sam Light, its best player in the game. To that point in the game, Light had 35 points. He made 7-of-10 from three-point range. This time, though, his jumper from the right elbow was off the mark. Caleb Barwin grabbed the offensive rebound, though, and in the missed-shot scramble, he found Ricky Bugg open at the left wing. He made the shot with just nine seconds remaining to put Lebanon Valley ahead, 70-68.

The Lions went right away after Bugg's make, but Smith's floater in the lane was off the mark as time expired. Though he missed on that last possession, Smith led the Lions with 18 points. He scored 12 of those in the second half as the teams stayed no more than four points away from each other for the final 12 minutes.

In a span of about three-and-a-half minutes in the second half, Light scored 12 straight points for the Dutchmen. During that personal run, the teams traded the lead on five occasions. After a Light three pointer put them ahead, 52-51, with 7:52 to play, Jared Rappoport responded with a layup and a free throw to give the Lions a 54-52 lead.

Brandon Lindsay followed with a bucket to make it 56-52, but Light hit four straight free throws around a Rappoport dunk to bring to 58-56 Albright. Light responded with five more points on two possessions to end his personal 12-point streak with Lebanon Valley ahead, 61-58. Lebanon Valley held the lead until Rowles nailed a three pointer to make it 63-63 with 3:03 left. Rowles finished with 13 points and nine rebounds while battling foul trouble as he just missed his second double-double in as many postseason games.

Lebanon Valley again led, 67-63, but Albright scored five in a row on Rowles' bucket and Smith's step-back three with 35 seconds left.

DeLascio Dancy scored 13 points while Samuel Majekodunmi had 12.

Albright was looking for its first MAC Commonwealth title since 2010 while Lebanon Valley won its first conference crown in 23 years.

The Lions will now await the results from the NCAA Selection Show on Monday afternoon.