GLENSIDE, Pa. – Delaware Valley men's basketball led for most of its conference opener against Arcadia University, and it was Mike Herrin who delivered the decisive basket, knocking down the game-winner with 1.8 seconds remaining to lift the Aggies to a 63-61 victory on Wednesday night.
Brian Mordi opened the scoring after a steal on the opening possession, setting up Herrin for a layup. Herrin and Arcadia's Johnson then traded three-pointers before Brendon Bradford scored inside. Another Knights three and a free throw tied the game at seven early. Following an Aggies turnover, Kamal Johnson responded with his first basket of the night before Antonio Redding knocked down a jumper and a three as the pace quickened.
Walker briefly gave Arcadia its first lead, but K. Johnson answered with a layup prior to a media timeout to put DelVal back in front, 16-15. A short 4-0 Knights run was countered by a 6-0 Aggies stretch featuring points from JT Wright, K. Johnson, and Herrin. Lyman connected from long range to tie the game once again. Later in the half, Redding pulled down a defensive rebound and sparked crisp ball movement that resulted in a Mordi dunk. Walker and Wright exchanged three-pointers in the final minutes, sending the teams into halftime knotted at 28.
Out of the break, Bradford scored on a layup before Mordi threw down another dunk, forcing an Arcadia timeout and giving DelVal a five-point cushion. Herrin followed with a layup, but a foul at the other end and a turnover allowed N. Johnson to hit a three, tying the game at 35 four minutes into the half. After a pair of Knights free throws, Herrin scored his 12th point, and Wright drilled a three off a feed from Redding to regain a five-point lead.
The teams traded baskets before Wright buried another three to put the Aggies up nine with 9:39 remaining. DelVal's defense held Arcadia to just three points—all from the free-throw line—over the next four minutes. Attivo converted a layup to pull the Knights within three, but K. Johnson and Herrin answered to maintain the advantage. Following another timeout, Redding converted at the stripe.
N. Johnson hit two of three free throws and Parks knocked down a three before K. Johnson responded with a triple of his own off a Herrin assist. Out of a timeout, K. Johnson struck again for his 15th point of the night with 1:29 remaining, extending the lead to 61-55. Arcadia answered with a basket inside and forced a turnover, eventually tying the game at 61 on free throws by N. Johnson.
With 1.8 seconds left, Herrin hit a step-back jumper to give the Aggies the lead, and Wright intercepted the ensuing inbound pass to seal the win.
With the victory, Delaware Valley improves to 7-6 overall and 1-0 in MAC Freedom play. The Aggies return home on Saturday, Jan. 10, to host DeSales University at 3:00 p.m.
