BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Villa Maria College men's basketball team were at home on Monday as they hosted cross-town rival Bryant and Stratton Buffalo. The two teams were tightly contested for most of the game, but Villa could not end the day with a victory, falling to the Bobcats 62-55. Villa now holds a record of 5-4, while the Bobcats rise to 6-4 on the season.
 
Nolan Shephard scored the opening goal to give the team the first lead of the day and most of the first half it was a close, competitive game. Bryant and Stratton took six points leads on multiple occasions, but the Vikings stifled runs so they could stay in the game. Shephard, Trent Cordone and Jaiden Green all made key shots to keep the game within six points. As the first half came to an end, Green made a free-throw to give the team a 25-25 lead at the break.
 
The second half saw a similarly competitive battle between the two teams with neither giving an inch. There were five lead changes and five ties in the first eight minutes of the second frame. The Bobcats began to pull away, going ahead 50-38 at he 6:41 mark, but Villa didn't back down. Rhalon Bragg scored two free-throws to cut the deficit to single digits and with 2:11 to play, Shephard converted two free-throws of his own to get the game within four. Unfortunately, they were unable to get any closer and fell by a final score of 62-55.
 
The Vikings will play their third straight home game on Thursday, December 9 as they host Jamestown Community College. The game is slated for a 7:30 p.m. start time following the women's game at the Villa Athletic Center.
 
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