ANNVILLE, PA – In a battle of teams seeking to gain some momentum heading into the final month of the season, the Lebanon Valley Flying Dutchmen nipped the York College Spartans late, 59-55, in a MAC Commonwealth battle on Wednesday night.
The win snaps LVC's seven game losing streak while the Spartans dropped their fifth straight.
 
Score: York 55, Lebanon Valley 59
Records: York 6-9 (2-8 MAC Commonwealth); Lebanon Valley 6-11 (3-7 MAC Commonwealth)
 
How It Happened
• The game saw the Dutchmen take an early advantage, leading 13-6 just under seven minutes into the game. The Spartans slowly climbed back into the game, eventually tying the Dutchmen at 24 with 5:22 remaining in the first half.
• The two offenses struggled over the next three minutes as neither team could connect on a basket. The Dutchmen finally broke the seal on the hoop with a Zach Tucker bucket with 2:15 left in the half. LVC would score seven of the final 13 points of the stanza to take a 31-30 lead at the break.
• York came out of the intermission and struck first with a Matt Faller triple to take a 33-31 lead. That started a prolonged back and forth back battle as there were seven lead changes and four ties over the next 12 minutes of game time.
• The Dutchmen led 40-37 but the Spartans ripped off a 12-4 run to forge a 49-44 lead. The Spartans led 51-46 on a pair of Travis Stoll free throws but the hosts answered with a 10-2 run to take a 56-53 lead. That run was capped by a Jevon Griffin three as the shot clock was running out on the Dutchmen. David Giuliani hit a bucket to cut the Spartan deficit to one with 1:04 left. However, the Dutchmen got an offensive rebound and put back by Evin Timochenko to push the lead back to three. York came up empty on their next possession and Griffin split a pair at the line with 10 seconds left to provide the final margin of LVC's victory. Griffin only scored four points in the game but they decided the game in the favor of the Dutchmen.
 
Spartan Leaders
Travis Stoll: 16 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 blocked shot, 3 steals
Colin Rimel: 11 points, 1 rebound, 1 blocked shot
David Giuliani: 10 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist
Jackson Mascari: 6 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 blocked shot, 1 steal
 
Spartan Stats
The Spartans shot just 34.5% from the floor the game, their second worst shooting performance of the year (32% vs. Hopkins) … the Spartans held LVC to 39.7% shooting in the game, their best defensive effort since the November 13 win over St. Elizabeth (35.6% shooting) … York shot just 17.9% (5-for-28) from three, their second lowest mark of the year (11.1% vs. Hopkins, 2-for-18) … York won the battle on the glass by four (41-37) … York was credited with just seven assists on their 20 field goals, their second lowest number of assists on the season and the lowest percentage of assisted baskets for the year … the Spartans committed 13 turnovers, which LVC turned into 12 points while York got 14 points off 11 LVC miscues … both teams scored 28 points in the paint.
 
Spartan Notes
The Spartans are now 8-10 all-time against Lebanon Valley as the two teams split the season series with each team winning at home … senior Travis Stoll has now reached double figures in three straight games and in eight games overall this year … David Giuliani reached double figures for the sixth straight game and for the 12^th time this year.
 
Up Next
The Spartans return to action on Saturday afternoon when they host Messiah in a MAC Commonwealth contest. Tip time is scheduled for 5:00 pm. The game has been designated as the NABC Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers game. The York College coaching staff will be wearing sneakers in support of the Coaches vs. Cancer program.
As a reminder, attendance is limited to YCP students with the presentation of a York College ID. No outside spectators will be allowed at the game.