DELHI, N.Y. (January 13, 2018) – SUNY Delhi men's basketball's home matchup on Saturday with NHTI marked the latest in a string of high-scoring games for coach Zack Thomsen's team. While the Broncos made 20 3-pointers and had six players score in double figures, it would be the Lynx who held on to a late fourth-quarter lead to defeat Delhi by a 102-98 score.
In a contest of nationally-ranked USCAA Division II teams, Saturday's contest marked Delhi's third straight game scoring over 90 points, a stretch that includes their highest-scoring game in over two years with 110 points at College of St. Joseph on Wednesday. The Broncos, now 10-10, were ranked 14th in this week's USCAA Division II Coaches' Poll, while the Lynx, now 13-3, were ranked third.
Jordan Fragale, who finished with 15 points and seven assists, gave Delhi a 98-96 lead with his last score of the night with 1:43 to play. However, it would also stand as the Broncos' last score of the game. A J'Quavious Thurman jumper followed for NHTI to tie the game, then after a missed three by Jake Slobe, who had made five treys on the day for 17 points, Joe Simpson gave the Lynx the lead for good on a layup with 27 ticks remaining. Carlos Ithier finished with 4 points and seven boards, but his 3-pointer on the following possession fell short of the mark and into the arms of Simpson, who tacked on a free throw go put NHTI up, 101-98. The Broncos tried once more to tie the game by turning to William Knight, who followed up his 40-point performance at College of St. Joseph on Wednesday with seven 3-pointers for 27 points against the Lynx. Unfortunately, Knight's hurried shot with just seconds remaining could not connect.
Delhi finished at 39.8 percent (35-for-88) on the day, making 20-of-54 from 3-point range and 8-of-12 from the free throw line. NHTI fared better from the floor, making 50.7 percent of their shots (35-for-69) and connecting on 8-of-21 threes and 24-of-34 free throws. The Lynx led, 53-40, in rebounds, 23-10 in second chance points off 15 offensive rebounds and 50-30 in points in the paint. The Broncos held a 40-19 advantage in bench points, a 13-6 lead in fastbreak points and a 19-12 ledger in points off turnovers, forcing NHTI into 16 turnovers.
Damon Denteh added 12 points for Delhi, connecting on a pair of 3-pointers, while Terrance McBride tallied ten points, also making a pair of threes in just seven minutes of action. Ithier and Payton Dean led Delhi with seven rebounds apiece, while Stephen Harten and Knight each added six boards.
The Broncos were subjected to a threesome of double-double showings from NHTI's Thurman (27 pts., 10 reb.), Deric Jackson (23 pts., 16 reb.) and Tyler Hunter (13 pts. 11 ast.). Simpson added 19 points and eight assists for the Lynx.
Saturday's contest also featured a total of four technical fouls. NHTI's Aubrey Stephens was called for both of the Lynx's techs, ejecting him from the game in the second half, while Ithier and Knight each got called for Delhi in the second half.
