FINAL SCORE: #7 NHTI Lynx 94, #10 Penn State Fayette Roaring Lions 78

RECORDS: NHTI 22-12; Penn State Fayette 11-15

LOCATION: Penn State Fayette Main Arena Gymnasium, Uniontown, Pa.

IN BRIEF: Despite a late comeback by host Penn State Fayette, NHTI capitalized on over 50% shooting from the field to defeat the Roaring Lions 94-78 in the opening round of the 2017 Men's Division II National Championship Tournament. 

ON THE COURT

• With the score tight four minutes into the game, NHTI would go on a 21-9 run in the next six minutes to take a commanding lead.
• Both teams would add another 20 points in the first half, giving NHTI a 48-35 lead going into the break.
• Fayette chipped away at a commanding Lynx lead in the second half thanks to 13 points from guard Dominick Jackson.  The Roaring Lions closed the margin to 12 with just over one minute left in the second half, but would fall 94-78 in the end.

BEHIND THE BOXSCORE

• NHTI spread their offensive attack well, with five players scoring in double digits (Dante Ramos, Raikwon Rodrigues, Michael Dejesus, Alex Cohen, and J'Quavious Thurmond).
• Marius Turner, Ramos, Cohen, and Thurmond each had two steals for the Lynx.
• Penn State Fayette was paced by Spencer Perieff who had 14 points and Jackson who ended the game with 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 steals.
• The Lynx were an impressive 53% shooting from the field on the evening.

NEXT UP

NHTI advances to the quarterfinals and will play the #2 seeded Central Penn College at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday in the Main Arena. Penn State Fayette will conclude their season against the loser of #8 Villa Maria College and #9 Andrews University.