Salem, Va. -- The Lynchburg men's basketball team concluded it's 2024-25 season in a 96-92 OT loss to the Roanoke Maroons.
Michael Gray set a new career high for the second straight game, scoring 34 points.
Jake Hart contributed 15 points, nine assists, and two steals.
Jamarcus Brown and
Piercen Young also scored double-fugues, 11 and 12 points, respectively. Both also grabbed seven rebounds.
The Maroons dominated in the first 20 minutes of action. After the Maroons took the lead in the opening four minutes, Roanoke didn't look back. Joshua McClary and the Maroons took a 15-point advantage into the intermission, leading 45-30.
However, the Hornets came out of the break playing with newfound life. Lynchburg slowly began to chip away at the Roanoke lead, and the 15-point disparity soon evaporated. With 11:55 remaining, a pair of
Jake Hart free throws tied the game at 55.
With 2:55 left on the game clock, a baby hook from Brown gave Lynchburg a 77-76 advantage, their first lead since 4-3. Gray then went on to score the final five points for Lynchburg in the second half, all in the last 45 seconds, on a three-pointer and pair of free throws that helped send the game to overtime.
After the two sides traded baskets for the first 4:30 of overtime, it all came down to the final possession. With 20 seconds remaining, Ronaoke's Jackson Bell connected on a three to give the Maroons a two-point advantage. A missed shot on the other end would force Lynchburg to foul and ultimately result in a four-point win for the Maroons.
The Hornets conclude their season with an overall record of 14-13. This year Lynchburg claimed its first All-ODAC player for the first time in two years, its first top-10 win in program history, and its first ODAC playoff win since the 2020-21 season.
The Hornets will now look ahead to the 2025-26 season, with 12 players expected to return.
