The Lakeland men's basketball team played host to the NJCAA's 20th ranked St. Clair County Skippers and came away with an impressive 91-80 victory. In the first half, the teams battled back and forth early with the Skippers taking a 22-19 lead. Jadallah Suleiman then connected on a runner to bring the Lakers within 1 at 22-21. Following a Skipper turnover, Amarion Glenn connected on a 3-point play as he made a reverse layup while being fouled. Lakeland was then fouled on their next possession and Micah Blackmon connected on both free throws for a 26-22 lead. After a St. Clair basket and Lakeland miss, Marlon Landingham stole the ball and went end-to-end for a layup. The teams then traded baskets over the next few minutes before the Lakers missed shots late allowing the Skippers to take a 42-38 lead at the break.
For the first 7 minutes of the 2nd half, the teams would trade baskets and go on mini-runs as the lead went between 1 and 7 points. Trailing 60-53, Amarion Glenn would get an offensive rebounf and feed Isaiah McAdams who was fouled on the shot. McAdams connected on 1-2 free throws. After an SC4 turnover, Chauncey Brashers hit a 10' baseline jumper. Lakeland would then steal the ball and McAdams would make a layup to bring the Lakers with 2 at 60-58 with just under 12 minutes to play. The Skippers would then make a free throw before Jadallah Suleiman made a layup to inch the Lakers closer at 61-60. The teams would trade a couple of baskets and the score was tied at 64 when Suleiman fed Alikai Creque for a thunderous dunk and a 66-64 Laker lead. After St. Clair tied it at 66, Creque gathered an offensive rebound and scored for a 68-66 lead. SC4 would hit a pair of free throws to tie it at 68 before the Lakers exercised great ball movement with Suleiman feeding Alikai Creque for a 3-pointer and a 71-68 Lakeland lead. After a SC4 miss, Suleiman would connect from the free throw line extended to put the Lakers up 73-68. SC4 would score on their next possession. On the following play, Isaiah McAdams was fed in the bottom of the paint and made several pivot moves before scoring a layup. St. Clair would later foul Creque who calmly hit both free throws for a 77-70 Laker lead with 3:10 to play. From there, the Lakers' Chauncey Brashers would go 4-4 from the line while Marlon Landingham connected on a pair of free throws as the Lakers closed out the victory.
Lakeland finished with 4 players in double digits. Marlon Landingham led the way with 24 points while Alikai Creque finished his afternoon with 14 points. Jadallah Suleiman and Isaiah McAdams both picked up 13 points while Chauncey Brashers and Amarion Glenn each added 7 points for the Lakers, Micah Blackmon chipped in 6 points in the win.
T's Talk: "It was a good way to start the season. St. Clair is a good team and we scuffled a bit early. We were disciplined though and played good defense most of the night. I was pleased that we got better as the game wore on - especially our rebounding. It's always good to knock off a top 20 team. We will continue to work and come out ready to go on Wednesday."
Next Up: The Lakers will travel to Jamestown Community College on Wednesday (11/5) to face the Jayhawks in non-league action. Tip off is scheduled for 7:30 pm.
