St. Petersburg, FL- The Mount Saint Mary College Knights men's basketball team wrapped up their two-game Florida road trip with a 53-103 defeat to the University of Lynchburg Hornets on Friday afternoon. Despite a valiant effort and flashes of bright play, the Knights were ultimately overwhelmed by the potent offensive power of the Hornets.

Lynchburg, boasting a strong 8-5 record, established their dominance early, erupting for 45 points in the first half. Piercen Young (14 points, 4 rebounds) and Jonathan Foust (13 points, 6 rebounds) led the Hornet charge, efficiently converting from both inside and out. The Knights, meanwhile, struggled to find their rhythm offensively, trailing by a daunting 58-23 margin at halftime.

The second half saw a more determined Knights squad emerge. Jayden Figueroa (9 points, 5 rebounds) and Brenden Graham (9 points, 4 rebounds) spearheaded the comeback effort, attacking the basket with renewed energy. Their hustle resulted in a more competitive performance, but the Hornets maintained their offensive firepower, consistently extending their lead and preventing the Knights from establishing a consistent rhythm.

Head Coach Ryan Kadlubowski acknowledged the challenge posed by Lynchburg, stating, "Today was a tough matchup against a talented and well-coached Lynchburg team. Their offensive execution was impressive, and we struggled to contain their firepower. However, I was pleased with our second-half effort. We showed grit and determination, and that's something we can build on moving forward."

While the scoreboard reflected a lopsided defeat, the Knights' second-half display offered valuable takeaways. Young players like Elijah Barnett (5 points, 6 rebounds) and Liam Lynch (3 points) contributed flashes of their potential, and the team's defensive intensity improved significantly in the final period. These aspects provide a glimmer of hope as the Knights head back home for their next matchup.

Stat leaders for the Knights:

• Points: Brenden Graham (9)
• Rebounds: Jayden Figueroa (5)
• Assists: Ryan Graham (3)
• Steals: Dylan Csik (1)

The Knights have a quick turnaround, facing Maritime College at 7:00 PM on Tuesday at home. This matchup presents an opportunity for the team to build on their second-half momentum and secure a much-needed victory. Go Knights!