Lyndonville cagers rally to nip Pembroke

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 4 January 2019 at 9:43 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Lyndonville’s Nathan Dillenbeck looks to drive to the basket for what proved to be the winning basket in the Tigers narrow win over visiting Pembroke. Lyndonville’s Nathan Hydock blocks off Pembroke’s Noah Godzala.

Rebounding from as much as a 13 point first half deficit, undefeated (9-0) Lyndonville rallied to nip visiting Pembroke 52-48 this evening in a Genesee Region League game.

Lyndonville closed the deficit to three, 40-37, at the three-quarter mark and finally took the lead at 46-44 with 3:45 to go in the final stanza on a layup by Nathan Hydock which capped a 9-4 run to open the period. Hydock had 7 during that key run.

Pembroke pulled even at 46-46 on a basket by Noah Godzala. Two free throws by Lyndonville’s Zach Johnson off set by a basket by Pembroke’s Matt Barry retied the contest at 48-48.

Lyndonville finally regained the lead for good at 50-48 on a short jumper by Nathan Dillenbeck with 1:05 remaining.

Lyndonville’s Zach Johnson dunks to bring the Tigers within one one in the third quarter.

Hydock then came up with a big defensive rebound for Lyndonville with nine seconds remaining and Dillenbeck capitalized on the opportunity by sinking two pressure free throws two seconds later to lock up the Tigers narrow victory.

Hydock finished with a game high 19 points and Johnson 16 to lead the way for Lyndonville as Dillenbeck added 8, Nathan Poler 5 and Matt Hess and Russ Stephens 2 each.

Jordan Ludwig scored 13 and Jarrod Ludwig 11 for Pembroke as Godzala and Trevor Vaughn each added 8.

Pembroke jumped out to a 16-4 lead at the outset and was up 18-11 at the end of the opening period. Jordan Ludwig hit two threes and Jarod Ludwig and Godzala one each for the Dragons during that stretch.

Pembroke upped its advantage to 13, 26-13, midway through the second period after another three by Jarrod Ludwig.

Lyndonville though answered back with a 7-2 run to close the period and cut the deficit to eight, 28-20, at the half. Dillenbeck, Johnson and Hydock all chipped in with baskets during that run.

Keeping the momentum, Lyndonville pulled to within one, 28-27, at the outset of the third period after a layup and a three-point play by Hydock and a slam dunk by Johnson off a turnover.

Pembroke though answered with a turnover aided 9-2 run to go back up by 8, 37-29.

Once again Lyndonville came battling back, this time with an 8-3 run to close the period and cut the deficit to three, 40-37, at the three-quarter mark. Poler had two baskets and Hydock one during that rally.

The Tigers then outpointed the Dragons 15-8 down the stretch including 7 by Hydock and 4 each by Dillenbeck and Johnson, to claim the win.