LYNCHBURG, Va. -- Junior guard Mike Stuart (Warrenton, Va./Fauquier) scored a game-high 25 points and tied a program-record with seven three pointers, but it wouldn't be enough as the Generals fell to Lynchburg, 68-65, on Saturday evening.
Stuart notched 23 of his points in the first stanza after connecting on 8-for-8 from the field and 7-for-7 from beyond the three-point arc. As a team, the Generals (3-10, 2-5) mirrored Stuart's first-half success, scoring 16-of-23 (64.0%) from the field and 9-of-12 from three-point range to give themselves a 41-30 lead at the break.
In the second half the Hornets began their comeback, chipping away at the W&L lead until a layup by Steve Manos at 3:21 locked the score (61-61) for the first time since 12:05 in the first half. The teams traded foul shots to increase the score to 63-63 with 1:38 remaining and the ball in the Hornets' possession, but a steal by freshman guard Chris Halkitis (New Port Richey, Fla./Ridgewood) with 58 seconds gave the ball back to the Generals.
W&L was unable to capitalize, however, as a missed three-pointer simultaneously gave Lynchburg the ball and put Manos on the foul line. Manos drilled both his looks from the stripe to give the Hornets the lead (65-63) with 31 seconds left on the scoreboard.
On their next trip down the court the Generals again looked for the three-pointer, but the shot again missed the mark. This time, however, sophomore guard Ryan Flynn (Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral) grabbed the rebound and earned a trip to the foul line. With 17 second left in the game, Flynn tied the game at 65-65.
Manos responded for the Hornets, running the court and driving the lane for what would prove to be the game-winning roll-in with five seconds remaining. A turnover by Halkitis gave the ball back to Lynchburg with three-seconds to go, and a trip to the charity stripe by Ryan Pehanick ended the evenings scoring.
Halkitis also reached double-figures for the Generals with 15 points, while Flynn and sophomore forward David Will (Fairfax, Va./Fairfax) each grabbed a co-team-high six rebounds.
Washington and Lee returns to action on Sunday when it hosts Hampden-Sydney. Game time is 5:00 p.m.
-- GENERALS --
