The Johnson State College men’s basketball team dropped an 88-74 North Atlantic Conference (NAC) contest to Lyndon State Saturday afternoon in Carter Gymnasium at Johnson State College. With the win, the Hornets advance to 9-13 on the year and 7-9 in the NAC while Johnson slides to 8-15 overall and 8-8 in conference action.

Shaun Hill led the way for the Hornets with a game-high 37 points, pulling down 13 rebounds and dishing out three assists. Kevin Love notched 16 points and a game-high 13 rebounds.

The Badgers were led by Asim Khan’s 21 points, 8 assists and five steals. Rahim Bunch and Rasul Jackson added 12 and 10 points respectively in the Badgers’ losing effort.

The Badgers and Hornets kept things close for the first eight minutes of play until Johnson jumped out to a seven point lead with just under six minutes to play in the opening stanza. The visitors answered with a quick run and kept up with the Badgers’ pace, tying things at 37-37 just before a foul on Johnson. Khan sank a free-throw, followed by a beautiful three-pointer from Hill to beat the first half buzzer and put the Hornets up 40-38.

The two teams came back after the break ready to battle again, but after the fifth tie of the game and then the 10th lead change, the Hornets went ahead for what would prove to be the last time of the contest. Johnson was unable to stop the visitors, seeing them go up by 16 with just seven minutes to play. Johnson continued to fall behind, ending the game behind, 88-74.

Lyndon travels to play Castleton on Thursday for a 7:30pm tip-off while Johnson will visit Green Mountain for a 7:30pm game that same day.