MORRISVILLE, N.Y. - SUNY Geneseo senior forward Gordon Lyons scored 24 points and grabbed 14 rebounds for his third-striaight double-double to start the season, but it was host Morrisville taking the 74-72 victory, Tuesday night.

"In the first half, we fell behind on the boards and, while we were able to put the ball in some premium positions, we didn't finish some shots," said head coach Steve Minton. "To lose by two in a game like that makes you reflect on the shoulda, coulda, woulda."

Down by five, 13-8, Lyons hit a lay-up to cut the deficit to two with 12:46 on the clock but the Mustangs would respond by going on a 9-0 run to lead 22-10 at 7:32.

Morrisville gained its largest lead of the half after sinking a jump shot with 5:08 remaining to take a 14-point lead, 30-16. Lyons made a free-throw with 52 seconds left to bring Geneseo within six points as the Mustangs took a 32-26 lead into halftime.

At 17:59 in the second half, first-year guard Kevin Crockett made a lay-up to cut the lead to two, 34-32. Crockett finished with 12 points and four assists.

Trailing by eight with 13:37 on the clock, first-year guard Charlie Zaepfel hit a shot from beyond the arc to bring the Knights within five, 52-47. Zaepfel would hit two free throws at 9:41 to cut the lead to four, 57-53, as he finished the night with 13 points and three assists. 

With 4:39 left in the game, Lyons sank a lay-up to bring Geneseo within two, 64-62. Just under thirty seconds later, Zaepfel made a jump shot to tie the game at 64-64.

Lyons made a lay-up to tie the game up once more, 72-72, with 59 seconds remaining in regulation but the Knights were unable to grab the lead as Morrisville responded with a lay-up of their own on its next possession to come away with the win.

"Gordon had another great game and (sophomore guard) Jonathan Cohen gave us a nice spark offf the bench. I was happy with how Charlie played as he continues to get better at the point guard position."

Starting senior guard James McKenna added 11 points, six rebounds and three blocks in the setback.

Geneseo returns to action Wednesday, December 3rd for the first round of the Wendy's College Classic with participants and game times to be annouced Sunday evening.