Box Score The Mount Saint Vincent Men's Basketball team headed west this Thanksgiving for a two game road trip in California. The Dolphins started off their trip with a bang as they took down The University of La Verne for their first win of the season 72-65.

CMSV came out hungry for their first win on Saturday afternoon as they jumped out to a quick 17-7 lead after seven minutes of play.   The Dolphins got the ball inside early and it paid off as the trio of bigs netted 10 of the first 17 points for the Dolphins. CMSV would hold this lead for the entire first half, the Leopards would cut the lead to six but the strong guard play of Raiquis Harris and Kelvin Turner-Harris would keep the Dolphins in the lead. La Verne would cut the lead to single digits but with the clock running down in the first half Makai Johnson drained a three to extend the lead back to 11 heading into halftime. 

The second half was much of the same, the Dolphins would continue to maintain their distance from the Leopards thanks to solid guard play. Anytime La Verne felt a run coming it was either Harris, Mamadou Mariko or Kalos Evans knocking down a shot to keep CMSV in control. The Leopards would give the Dolphins every shot they could, as they cut the lead to four with just 26 seconds remaining after a big three ball. On the ensuing possessions the defense would earn stops and Johnson and Evans would knock down three consecutive free throws to put the Dolphins up 72-65 and secure their first win of the season. Outside of some solid guard play senior Mariko had one of his best games to date recording 11 points and eight rebounds. Harris lead all scorers with 20 points on 50% shooting. 

The Men will be right back in action tomorrow afternoon at 5PM eastern time as they wrap up their west coast trip against California Lutheran University. CMSV now sits at an overall record of 1-4.