The Lakers women's basketball team played host to the Oakland Owls today in non-league action and used a dominating 3rd quarter to overwhelm the Owls in an 86-56 win. In the 1st quarter, the Lakers led 13-10 when they went on a little run. Lakeland's Emerson Hren got it started with a 6-foot baseline jumper. After an Oakland foul, Arianna Vera connected on two free throws to make the score 17-10. The Owls would then hit a 3-pointer before Kanija Kimbrough fed Hren for a layup and a 19-13 Laker lead. The Owls would miss their next shot before Kennedy Coleman scored on a layup. After another Owls 3-pointer, Kennedy Gadson scored on a layup after collecting an offensive rebound. Kimbrough would finish out the scoring after forcing a turnover and converting a layup to give the Lakers a 25-16 lead after one quarter. During the second quarter, neither team would be able to go on a run as the teams traded scores throughout. The Lakers went into the break leading 40-32. 

To start the 3rd quarter, the teams again traded baskets early. With the score 48-40 in favor of the Lakers, Lakeland decided to take the game over. The run started with a Kanija Kimbrough old-fashioned 3-point play as she hit a layup while being fouled and then collected the free throw. Oakland would answer with a 3-pointer before Joh'niqua Clay grabbed an offensive rebound and scored a layup to put the Lakers up 10, 53-43. The Lakers defense then ratcheted up the pressure. On the Owls next possession, Gabriella Moore stole the ball and fed Kimbrough for a layup. Kennedy Coleman then stole the ball on the Owls next possession and drove the basket for a Laker layup. Following a high pressured missed shot by the Owls, Kennedy Gadson scored a layup to put the Lakers up 59-43. After an Oakland turover, Kanija Kimbrough was fouled and sank both free throws. Following an Oakland miss, Coleman would score on another layup to put the Lakers up 63-43. After an Owls basket, Coleman would feed Kimbrough for another layup putting the Lakers up by 20 points again. Oakland would then try to press the Lakers. Lakeland quickly broke the press with great passing which led to an Emerson Hren layup. The Owls would continue to try and press the Lakers on their next two possessions and again the Lakers would score easily as they took a 72-45 lead after the 3rd quarter. From there, the Lakers never looked back as they sailed to the victory.

Lakeland had 4 players finish in double digits for scoring. Kennedy Gadson was the high scorer with 29 points while Kanija Kimbrough finished with  21 points. Joh'niqua Clay collected 12 points for the Lakers while Kennedy Coleman picked up 10 points in the win. Emerson Hren recorded 8 points while Arianna Vera finished with 4 points. Gabriella Moore also chipped in a couple points in the Lakeland victory. 

Gardy's Gab: "We really did a nice job of playing team basketball today.  We had a couple players dinged up and a couple of others stepped up. Real good energy today - it's nice to get that first one. We'll keep working on some areas we need to improve on and get ready for a good test next weekend."

Next Up: Next Saturday (11/15), the Lakers will play host to the league rival Hocking Hawks in Laker Gym. Tipoff is scheduled for 1:00 pm.