BUFFALO, N.Y. (February 11, 2018) – The SUNY Delhi men's basketball team gave second-ranked Villa Maria a run for their money Sunday, as both sides treated the Vikings' home crowd to a high-scoring second half. The Broncos, however, came up just short in their upset bid as Villa pulled out the 83-76 win. The game featured a total of 14 lead changes and 13 ties, with neither side holding more than a seven-point lead. Delhi, who was ranked 13th in the latest USCAA Coaches' Poll, stands now at 15-14.

The Vikings entered halftime ahead, 33-32, after a go-ahead jumper just before the buzzer. When it appeared Villa would take hold of the game in the second half ahead 43-40, Jordan Fragale, who finished with a team-high 23 points with 11 assists, scored Delhi's next nine points, followed by assisting on a Jake Slobe layup to give the Broncos a 51-46 lead with 12:23 remaining. The next ten minutes would be a seesaw affair, capped by Carlos Ithier drilling a game-tying three to make the score 73-73 with 2:13 to go. The Vikings, however, closed the game out on a 10-3 run.

Fragale's double-double performance marked his fourth of the season. Payton Dean also grabbed a double-double, his ninth on the year, with 12 points and 11 rebounds, while Ithier tallied 16 points, making 4-of-9 3-pointers. Jake Slobe recorded 10 points with rebounds, and Saquan Goland scored seven points and grabbed 12 rebounds, including seven offensive. Stephen Harten added four points with five rebounds.

Delhi shot 42.9 percent (33-for-77) to Villa's 46.7 percent (28-for-60), but the bigger picture was from the free throw line, where the Vikings made 24-of-34 free throws to the Broncos' 5-of-11. Delhi outscored Villa in the paint, 46-40, and second-chance points, 17-11, with the Vikings holding a slim 43-41 lead in rebounds.

The Broncos have one more regular-season contest at SUNY ESF on Tuesday before returning to Villa Maria for the NIAC Tournament on Friday, Feb. 23.