For immediate release – 12/6/2013 - #152
Hot Shooting Hornets down Valley Forge Christian 94-70

LYNCHBURG, VA – The Lynchburg College men's basketball team shot 52 percent from the field to defeat Valley Forge Christian College, 94-70, Friday night in the first round of the Gallaudet University Holiday Tournament.

The Patriots jumped out to an early 9-4 lead with both of Lynchburg's baskets coming from Gary Boone II. The hot shooting of the Hornets made the Valley Forge Christian lead evaporate quickly as Daniel Rowe, Zack Burnett, and Boone each connected from three for a 13-12 LC advantage with 16:23 left in the first half.

Valley Forge continued to run early, taking its largest lead of the game, 31-22, with 9:27 remaining in the first.

The Hornets went on a 26-6 that spanned the remainder of the half to take a 48-37 lead into the break. Burnett contributed six points during the run while Manny Hernandez and Boone added four each.

The Patriots cut the gap back to six, 48-42, early in the second half on a Jean LeBlanc 3-pointer. Lynchburg would not allow Valley Forge to get any closer, going on a 10-0 run over the next two minutes to take a 58-42 lead with 16:19 remaining.

Burnett led the Hornets with a career-high 17 points to go along with four rebounds and three assists. Boone contributed 15 points and a team-high six boards while Hernandez added 12 points. Rowe rounded out the Hornets in double-figures with 11 points in a balanced Lynchburg scoring effort.

LeBlanc led the Patriots (5-3) with 14 points while Emanuel Toms and Lance Harris had 11 apiece.

Lynchburg (5-2) plays Gallaudet University (1-5) in the finals of the holiday tournament Saturday at 5 p.m.