DOYLESTOWN (PA) – Tyliek Kimbrough and Chris Moran combined for 41 points as Delaware Valley University posted a 70-65 home victory over previously undefeated Swarthmore College in a non-conference game on Sunday.
The win improved the Aggies to 11-2 overall, including a perfect 7-0 mark in the friendly confines of James Work Gymnasium. In fact, the team has won 11 straight at home, dating back to last season. Sunday's setback was the first for the Garnet as they fell to 9-1.
Kimbrough finished the day with 19 points, including 12 in the first half when DelVal built a 13-point lead. Moran had 14 of his game-high 22 points over the final 20 minutes, including key buckets down the stretch.
The Aggies started strong, scoring nine of the game's first 11 points. Swarthmore responded with six straight before DelVal went on a 12-2 spurt for a 22-10 advantage with 7:50 remaining in the first half. Moran hit a pair of treys in the run.
The Aggies lead went up to as many as 14 before they took a 33-20 advantage into the break. Once again, it was the team's defense that led the attack as they held the Garnet to 8-for-23 shooting effort (34.8%) and forced 14 turnovers.
Swarthmore found its shooting touch in the second stanza, including when it went on a 16-5 run to turn a 10-point deficit into its first lead of the game at 50-49 with 9:40 remaining. Chris Bourne had five points to key the rally, including a three-point inside that gave the Garnet the lead.
The lead changed hands a few ties including with 4:49 on the clock as a Robbie Walsh layup put Swarthmore ahead, 60-59. Two possessions later, Moran sank a 3-pointer for a two-point Aggie lead. After Walsh hit one free throw, it was Moran again with a jumper and a 64-61 lead with 1:49 remaining.
Shane Loeffler hit a pair of free throws for the Garnet, just seven seconds later. Back down the court, DelVal went to Moran again and its leading scorer and two-time all-conference honoree connected inside for a 66-63 lead. Moran then blocked a layup attempt was Walsh and Swarthmore was forced to foul. Freshman Alex Matsinye hit two free throws with 27 seconds to go and then did so again 10 ticks later to seal the win.
Moran also had six rebounds, four steals and two blocks while Kimbrough added a pair of assists. Zach Sly notched 11 points before fouling out while Matsinye ended with 10 points and six boards. Barry Brockington added eight points and seven rebounds.
Zack Yonda led Swarthmore with 13 points while Bourne and Walsh had 11 points apiece. The two also combined for 13 rebounds.
DelVal does not hit the court again until Wednesday, January 23 when Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom play resumes. The Aggies are the lone 2-0 team in the conference and they will host 1-1 Manhattanville College.