DOYLESTOWN (PA) – Senior center Jeremy Beckett exploded for 28 points as Delaware Valley College won its ninth straight game and remained tied for first in the Freedom Conference with its 79-71 triumph over visiting Manhattanville College.

Tuesday's win over the Valiants (10-14, 4-9), improved the Aggies to 17-7 overall and 11-2 in the Freedom. The squad tied the school's single-season record for victories, which was first attained two years ago when the Delaware Valley captured its first-ever conference championship and NCAA Division III playoff berth.

For the Aggies, the scenario is simple. If they go on the road and defeat fourth-place FDU-Florham on Saturday (3:00 p.m.), then they will be the number one seed for the upcoming Freedom Conference tournament and could host throughout, starting with a rematch with the Devils in the semifinals on Wednesday, February 23. Delaware Valley could also get the top seed if DeSales University loses at home to Eastern University this Saturday.

If the Aggies fall at FDU-Florham and DeSales wins, then the Bulldogs would get the number one seed and Delaware Valley, as the second seed, would host Misericordia University in next Wednesday's semifinals.

Beckett, who was honored before the game along with fellow senior Daulton Derr, was 10-for-14 from the field and 8-for-10 from the foul line. The Freedom Player of the Year candidate had eight rebounds and three blocks and also brought the crowd to its feet with three highlight-reel dunks. Beckett is the school' all-time leader in blocked shots with 247, while his 932 rebounds and 1,402 points rank fourth and eighth respectively.

Delaware Valley, which trailed by six in the early going, went up by as many as 11 in the opening half before a late Manhattanville run made it a 40-36 ballgame at the break. The Valiants cut their deficit to one on a Jack Bramswig layup five minutes into the second half, but the Aggies responded with a 14-5 spurt, including seven by Derr, to take a 61-50 advantage.

Manhattanville refused to go away and an Anthony Maestre 3-pointer with 2:05 remaining pulled the Valiants to within six at 71-65. One minute later, Beckett grabbed a defensive rebound, dribbled down the court and slammed one home while being fouled. He completed the three-point play and Zach Sly added a layup 17 seconds later to seal the win.

In addition to Beckett's heroics, Jay Donovan notched a double-double with 10 points and 13 boards. Francis Arnold finished the night with 14 points and six assists while Derr and Sly had nine and eight points respectively.

Colin Campbell paced the Valiants with 17 points while Bramswig tallied 15 points and 15 rebounds. Maestre finished with 14 points while Andrew Winter had 11 points and boards.