TERRE HAUTE, INDIANA – The Mount St. Joseph University men's basketball team was defeated by Rose-Hulman, 64–60, Wednesday evening in Terre Haute. With the loss, the Mount drops one game out of first place with two games left to play.
The Lions and Fightin' Engineers traded blows early, with the game tied 11–11 seven minutes in. Over the next six minutes, Rose-Hulman went on a run to take a 25–16 lead. The Mount responded with an 11–2 run to close the half, heading into the locker room tied 27–27. Jason Lavender tied the game by converting an and-one play with 27 seconds left and led the Lions with 8 points in the half.
Mathew Menninger opened the second half with back-to-back baskets, giving the Mount an early 31–28 lead. The Fightin' Engineers answered with a run of their own, pushing their lead to 11 points with eight minutes remaining. Jason Lavender then scored 9 straight points for the Lions, and Joe Brand hit a three-pointer off an assist from Lavender to cut the deficit to one with less than four minutes remaining. Rose-Hulman responded with a layup followed by a three-pointer to pull away and ultimately secure the 64–60 victory. Lavender led the Lions in the second half with 13 points.
The Mount was led by Jason Lavender, who scored a season-high 21 points while shooting 8-of-13 from the floor. Joe Brand added 10 points, and Cooper Ollis finished with 9.
UP NEXT: The Lions will host Transylvania University on Saturday, February 14. Tipoff is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
