Box Score GAMBIER, Ohio  – The Kenyon College men's basketball team and Muskingum University provided a classic back-and-forth battle in nonconference competition at Tomsich Arena, Saturday night. The Lords held a four-point advantage late in the second half but turnovers allowed the lead to slip away and despite a thrilling ending that involved a race with the game clock, the Muskies edged the Lords by a final score of 82-80.

With 6:43 remaining in regulation, the Muskies held a three-point lead over the Lords that quickly dissolved and flipped to Kenyon's side. Brian Lebowitz broke out with three blocks in a two-minute span and began the miniature run that gave Kenyon's its lead back. Lebowitz hit back-to-back open jumpers to cut the lead to one to give the Lords a one-point edge. Lebowitz continued his block party under the to help setup a Jonathan Amador three pointer to bulk up the lead to four points.

At this point, turnovers became the Lords' worst enemy when Ikenna Nwadibia had the ball stolen twice to help the Muskies score in consecutive possessions and tie the game at 72.  In the final two minutes, Muskingum's Logan Kimble cashed in with a drive to the bucket, hit a runner, and drew a foul to set up a three-point play and extend their lead to four, 79-75.

Hope was not lost when Julian Pavlin answered with a jumper from the right side to cut the lead to two, and even when Dave Brown continued a hot night at the free throw line to put the Muskies up by four, optimism did not wane. Pavlin once again responded and nailed a three with 16 seconds to go, closing the lead to a single point once again.

Kenyon received a huge break when they put on the press and forced Christian Keller to turn the ball over to Nwadibia, but once again, Nwadibia was stripped and prompted Muskingum to call a timeout to set the floor with shooter for the inevitable foul. The Lords sent Phil Ellis to the line for the first time in the game, where he hit the first of two attempts with the Muskies in the double bonus, but his second free throw was shot and corralled by Lebowitz. Lebowitz went coast to coast and drove to the bucket nearly untouched. The senior went up for the potential game-tying layup, but on his ascension to the basket the buzzer went off before ball left his hand completely, nullifying the shot and ending the game in Muskingum's favor, 82-80.

The Muskies made the most of Kenyon's 14 turnovers, converting them in 16 points. Kenyon did hold the advantage on the boards, outrebounding Muskingum 43-31 and outscoring them in second-chance points, 18-12.

Nwadibia and Lebowitz each finished with double-doubles, despite the loss. Lebowitz led the Lords in each category, scoring 18 points and pulling down 12 rebounds. Nwadibia notched 16 points and 10 rebounds. Cooper Handelsman joined the duo in double digits with 12 points off of the bench.

Brown had a perfect night from the free throw line for the Quakers, going 16-for-16 at the stripe. He went on the finish the game with 36 points to lead all scorers. Kimble ended with 21 points, six rebounds, and four steals.

Kenyon (1-4) will return to Tomsich Arena on Monday, Nov. 25 to play Earlham College at 7 p.m. Live stats and video will be provided by the Kenyon Sports Connection.