Middlebury improved to 3-0 on the season as the Panthers picked up a 91-68 win over Lyndon State in Pepin Gym. The game marked the first-ever meeting between the two schools, as the Panthers were victorious in their home-opener. Middlebury shot .484 from the floor on the night, including 49 second half points.

Trailing 8-4 early, Middlebury went on an 11-2 run behind a two and a three from Kevin Kelleher to take a 15-10 lead with 12:43 left to play. The lead stayed around five for most of the half, until the Panthers closed the first session with a 12-1 run to take a 42-27 lead at the intermission.

Middlebury led by as many as 17 early in the second half, before a 9-0 run sparked by two three's from Brad Durr and one from Cesar Martinez made it a one-point game at 56-55 with 12:08 remaining.

The Panthers slowly increased their lead, going on a 9-0 run over a four-minute span to take a 74-60 advantage with 4:26 left to play. The Hornets came within 12, but Middlebury regained its lead to a game-high 23 points at the buzzer.

Ben Rudin led all scorers with 23 points and five assists on 8 of 11 shooting from the floor, 3-3 from behind the arc. Aaron Smith had a big game with 17 points on 7 of 10 shooting, three blocks and a monster game on the boards with a career-high 20. Kyle Dudley added 10 points in the win, Ashton Coghlan scored nine, while Tim Edwards had six assists.

Durr paced Lyndon with 20 points, Martinez netted 19, while Jose Fortunato scored 10.

Box Score: http://cat.middlebury.edu/~sports/winter_sports/mens_basketball/archive/2008-09/LYNDONM.HTM