WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – After Lebanon Valley College closed within four points with 7:13 left, first-year forward Hayden Pardoe (Mill Hall, Pa./Central Mountain) took over for the Lycoming College men's basketball team, scoring half of the team's final 20 points in a 67-55 non-conference win to open the 2023-24 season in Lamade Gym on Wednesday night, Nov. 8.
 
Pardoe led all scorers in his Warrior debut, finishing with 22 points, as he hit 8-of-12 from the field and 3-of-5 from 3-point range. He also added six rebounds and two steals. Sophomore Isaiah Valentine (Mifflinburg, Pa./Mifflinburg Area) added 13 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals, senior Brendon Blackson (Laurel, Md./Laurel) added nine points, six rebounds, four assists and four steals. Senior Mavin James (Danville, Pa./Danville Area) posted seven points and four rebounds and sophomore J.J. Beagle (Williamsport, Pa./Williamsport Area) added a game-high 10 rebounds.
 
Lycoming (1-0 overall) led for all but 3:12 of the game and the game was tied just twice, at seven and nine, before a jumper by senior Steven Hamilton (Phoenixville, Pa./Phoenixville Area) was followed by a layup from Pardoe. The Flying Dutchmen (0-1 overall) closed within a point a pair of times, but Lycoming finished the half on a 12-4 run to take a 29-20 lead.
 
That lead grew into double figures, reaching 15 points at 45-30 with 11:07 left before the Dutchmen scored the next 11 points, closing within 47-43 with 7:13 left. Valentine went old-fashioned on a 3-point play to start a 13-5 run, with Blackson hitting an open look from three with 1:48 left after Pardoe hit one a minute before doubling a six-point lead. LVC couldn't get closer than eight in the final minutes.
 
Ryan Harder led the Dutchmen with 15 points and eight rebounds and Evin Timochenko added 12 points and nine rebounds.
 
The Warriors are back in action on Friday, Nov. 10, when they host Montclair State at 6 p.m. in Lamade Gym to open the two-day Crosstown Challenge.