For immediate release – 1/23/2013- #220
Hornets Pull Upset, Down Guilford 86-66 in Crucial Conference Clash

GREENSBORO, NC – Junior guard Andrew Simmons scored a career-high 15 points as the Lynchburg College men's basketball team downed Guilford College, 86-66, in Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) action Wednesday night.

Simmons, making just his third start of the season, helped the Hornets pick up their first road victory against the Quakers since the 2004-05 campaign.

Lynchburg started the contest on a hot streak as Simmons scored eight points in the early going to give the Hornets a 13-8 lead. The Hornets controlled the half until the final three minutes when Guilford forced three ties before taking a 36-35 lead into the locker room on a three-pointer by Matt McCarthy with under ten seconds remaining.

Guilford's Josh Pittman had a huge first half, scoring 16 of his team's 36 points. The Hornet defense slowed him down in the second half, allowing the senior to collect only nine more in the last 20 minutes while LC outscored the home team, 51-30.

The Quakers' largest lead was nine in the second half, but a 12-2 LC run wiped away all of Guilford's momentum while giving LC control of the game and the lead, 56-55.

Freshman Austen Arnold started the run when he was fouled making a layup. His free throw made the score 53-47 with 13:14 remaining. Senior Robbie Kaiser took over from there, knocking down three-pointers on the Hornets' next three possessions, collecting all nine of his points in the two minute spurt.

Guilford maintained a one point deficit, 63-62, but two 8-0 Lynchburg runs in the final minutes allowed the Hornets to pull away.

Lynchburg (15-3/6-3) was led by junior Manny Hernandez's 23 points and seven boards, while Arnold added ten points off the bench. Senior Austin Chillemi collected a game-high ten rebounds.

Guilford (14-4/6-3) was led by Pittman's game-high 25 points and eight assists. McCarthy was the only other Quaker in double-figures, adding 11 points to go with five assists.

Lynchburg will take on Eastern Mennonite University (11-7/4-5) on Saturday, January 26 in the Coaches vs. Cancer Game. Opening tip in this ODAC contest is set for 3 p.m.