DELHI, N.Y. (January 7, 2019) – SUNY Delhi men's basketball earned their third straight victory on Monday, remaining unbeaten in the 2019 leg of the campaign with an 86-80 home win over Northern Vermont Lyndon. The Broncos are back at .500 with an 8-8 record, and have won the first two games of their three-game homestand.

While Delhi could not capitalize from 3-point range as well as they had in their previous contests, making just four from downtown, the men excelled down low. They outscored the Hornets, 46-18, in the paint, while outrebounding the visitors, 38-33. They even held a 14-5 edge on offensive boards, leading to a 13-3 lead in second-chance points. And though the Hornets finished with four players in double digits to Delhi's two, forward Payton Dean led the way by making 10-of-16 from the floor to lead the contest with 27 points, nine rebounds and two blocks. Point guard Jordan Fragale also stepped in to make 7-of-10 from the field, finishing with 19 points to go along with seven assists.

The Broncos took their largest lead of the game into halftime, ahead, 48-29. It wouldn't be enough, however, to deter the Hornets so quick, as the visitors continuously chipped away at Delhi's lead in the final going. With the men holding on to a 79-74 lead with less than three minutes to play, Dean provided what would be the game-clincher with a powerful dunk over a defender to bring the team's lead up to 81-74 with just over two minutes to play. NVU Lyndon attempted one final time to cut things down to 84-80, but with little time remaining, the Broncos put things out of reach with the help of a pair of Carlos Ithier free throws for the game's final points.

MBB: Ahead by five with just two minutes to play, big man Payton Dean all but sealed the deal on this powerful drive to the basket! #DelhiDrive pic.twitter.com/UToi7ejphX

— SUNY Delhi Broncos (@DelhiBroncos) January 7, 2019

Delhi finished the evening 46.2 percent from the floor (30-for-65) and 4-of-14 on threes, while the Hornets fared 49.1 percent (27-for-55) and 10-of-23, respectively. The Broncos also benefitted from entering the double bonus in both halves, which turned into a lucrative 22-of-32 showing from the free throw line, as NVU Lyndon made 16-of-20.

Mavenson Therneus came off the bench to finish third on the team with nine points, while ranking second with eight rebounds. William Knight made two of the team's 3-pointers on the afternoon to finish with eight rebounds, three rebounds and five assists. Norman Wilson connected for seven points with four rebounds, while Ithier finished with six points and six rebounds.

Head coach Zack Thomsen's team closes out their home stay by taking on Maine Fort Kent on Friday at 1:00 p.m.