Lyndonville cagers post key win over Elba

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 19 December 2018 at 10:00 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Lyndonville’s Matt Hess goes in for a layup as Tyler Stevens defends for Elba during the host Tigers key win over the visiting Lancers this evening.

Turning back a stretch run challenge, Lyndonville posted a 62-55 victory over visiting Elba this evening in a key clash of Genesee Region League Division II unbeatens.

Nathan Poler scored 24 to lead the Lyndonville attack as Zach Johnson added 12, Nathan Dillenbeck 10, Matt Hess 7, Nathan Hydock 6 and Russell Stephens 3.

Three players accounted for all of Elba’s point product as Jon Boyce scored a game high 26, Colton Dillon 19 and Zachary Marsceill 10.

Elba’s Colton Dillon tries to go up under Lyndonville defender Matt Hess.

The victory boosts Lyndonville’s record to 4-0 in the division (6-0 overall) while Elba slips to 3-1 in the division.

Back-to-back layups off steals on the game’s first two possessions by Johnson and Dillenbeck ignited Lyndonville to a big 20-6 first period scoring surge. Johnson had a total of 7 in the stanza as Poler and Hydock each added 4.

The Tigers increased their advantage to 19, 37-18, at the half as Poler tallied 8 in the second period which also included a three by Johnson and a three-point play by Stephens.

Elba though came battling back in the third period as 9 points by Dillon and 8 by Boyce helped rally the Lancers back to within 13, 51-38 at the three-quarter mark.

Poler, who had 9 in the stanza, had a layup and a jumper off a steal to close the period and keep the Tigers in a double figure lead.

Keeping the momentum, Elba then made the finish interesting as two free throws and a rebound bucket by Boyce followed by a three by Marsceill pulled the Lancers to within 7, 56-49, with 2:30 remaining.

However, Lyndonville withstood the challenge despite making just one field goal in the final period.

Two free throws by Johnson and one by Poler upped the Tigers lead back to 10, 59-49, with 42 seconds to go.

The Lancers rallied back to within 7, 59-52, one more time after a rebound basket by Marsceill and a free throw by Boyce but could get no closer.

Lyndonville though finally closed out the victory on four clutch free throws by Dillenbeck in the final 10 seconds.