THE BASICS

Lesley University, 61 vs. Thomas College 80

Records:
Lesley University Lynx (2-11, 2-5 NAC)
Thomas College Terriers (5-8, 4-2 NAC)

Location: Lexington, Mass. – Minuteman HS Gymnasium

Date: Saturday, January 7, 2025

THE LEAD — The Lesley Lynx looked to end their losing skid by taking home the first game of the year. However, the Thomas College Terriers were also out do the same. Thomas's strong defense never let the Lynx settle into a rhythm. Coupled with some great offensive performances, the Terriers came out on top in a pivotal NAC matchup, 80-61.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Lynx and Terriers both started off going nearly shot-for-shot in the opening 10 minutes.
• Jayden Desimone sank a three that kicked off a 12-4 run for the Terriers, and they didn't look back from there.
• Lesley's offense got off to a slow start, only hitting a third of their three-pointers and total field goals in the half.
• Combined with Thomas's TJ Blackmon's 15 first-half points, the Lynx looked to slow him down and rebound their shooting in the second - they managed to do both.
• Lesley's defense held Blackmon to a single basket in the second and started to make more baskets of their own.
• Once again, they got off to a solid start. Ethan Arnold made a jumper to open the half.
• Both teams went shot-for-shot, but Lesley wasn't able to keep up the pace for long.
• While the Lynx were able to contain the star of the first half, the Terriers' Isiah Corson and Desimone combined for 18 points of their own in the back half.
• Lesley fell to conference rival Thomas College with a score of 80 to 61.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Ethan Arnold led the Lynx in Points with 11, while CJ Leonard followed closely, putting up 10 of his own.
• Ryan Ellis did a little bit of everything. He led the team with 10 rebounds and also had an assist, a steal, a block, scored four, and led the team in minutes played.
• The second half shooting turnaround resulted in the Lynx's second-best 3-Point percentage of the season (at VTSU Johnson on 11/8)
• All of the starters for the Terriers scored at least eight points, with Blackmon dropping 17. Desimone also put up 13 of his own.
• Blackmon also tied his and the team's season high of three Blocks as well as dishing out five assists and grabbing four rebounds.
• The Terriers were also nearly perfect from the line, making all but a single one of their free throws.

UP NEXT

• Lesley looks to snap their losing streak as they head to SUNY Cobleskill to take on the Fighting Tigers at 1:00 PM on Saturday, January 10.
• The Terriers also head out to Upstate New York to take on the SUNY Delhi Broncos at 5:30 PM on Saturday, January 10.