The Lakeland men's basketball team traveled to Buffalo, NY to face the Kats of Erie Community College and came away with a hard fought 62-59 victory. The Lakers would face a team that had a distinct size advantage and to compete, Lakeland would have to be relentless in attacking the boards and play strong interior defense. Mission accomplished as the Lakers would have the same number of rebounds (47) while playing strong defense against the Kats. Lakeland was able to give a consisent balanced effort all night as 10 different players recorded at least one rebound and 10 different players scored.  In the first half, neither team was able to pull away as they battled back and forth throughout. Lakeland would take a lead and maintain it for most of the half as they went into the break up 28-24.

In the second half, Lakeland would quickly go ahead by 6 points before hitting a shooting cold spell that the Kats were able capitalize on. The Kats took the lead and exopanded it to an 11 point advantage, 45-34, with 11:52 to play. The Lakers then battled back. Nathan Tadiello got it started with a jump shot on an assist from Maxwell Bollin. Alikai Creque then stole the ball before Chauncey Brashers made a jumper. After a Kat foul, Bollin picked up another assist when Taylor Blanton scored. Later in the quarter after another Kat foul, Brashers would feed Maxwell Bollin for a 3-pointer that brought the Lakers within 2, 45-43, with 9:25 to play. Both teams would trade baskets and also struggle shooting from the floor for the next couple of minutes as the Kats went up 51-46 with 5:55 remaining. After Alikai Creque made 1-2 free throws, Isaiah McAdams would steal the ball and have a thunderous dunk to bring the Lakers within a basket at 51-49. Later, McAdams would get fouled and convert 1-2 free throws to make the score 51-50. Amarion Glenn would then steal the ball and feed Chauncey Brashers for a bucket to give the Lakers a 52-51 lead with 4:11 to play. After a Kat basket, Glenn would answer immediately with a layup. The Lakers were then fouled and Jadallah Suleiman made 1-2 free throws for a 55-53 lead. Erie would then get fouled and sink both free throws to tie the score at 55 with 2:40 to play. Amarion Glenn would later get fouled and drain both free throws to put the Lakers up 57-55. The Kats would again tie the score with a basket before Isaiah McAdams hit a cluth 3-pointer on an assist from Suleiman to put the Lakers up 60-57 with 1:21 to play. The Kats would hit two free throws before Jadallah Suleiman scored on a driving layup to put the Lakers up 62-59 with 49 seconds to play. Lakeland would then stiffen their defense and force a Kat missed 3-pointer as time was expiring.

Isaiah McAdams was the games high scorer with 16 points while also adding 6 rebounds. Jadallah Suleiman finished his night with 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists while Chauncey Brashers picked up 7 points and 5 boards. Maxwell Bollin (6 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists), Nathan Tadiello (6 points, 5 rebounds), and Marlon Landingham (7 points) all played well in the Lakers win. Amarion Glenn chipped in 4 points and 2 rebounds while Micah Blackmon finished his evening with 2 points and a team high 7 rebounds. 

Player of the Game:  Isaiah McAdams

Coach T's Talk: "We played better as a team tonight. We were able to record 14 assists which was a big jump from our last game. We also really battled on the boards which was key. After a tough last second loss Saturday, it was good to see us show some grit and earn this win.  We will keep working and get ready for a tough game this weekend."

Next Up:  The Lakers will play host to the Hocking Hawks this Saturday in Laker Gym. Tip off is scheduled for 11:00 am.