The Lakeland women's basketball team played host to the Hocking Hawks today and beat the Hawks by a score of 75-68, in a thrilling OT game. This was a close game throughout as the Hawks tried to use their height advantage early against the Lakers who countered with penetrating guard play to create their offense. In the first quarter, the game started with fast play as both teams tried to take control. The Lakers missed a couple of shots midway through allowing the Hawks to take a 15-11 lead after one quarter of play.  In the 2nd quarter, the teams battled back-and-forth with the Hawks taking a 6 point lead with 5 minutes to go after sinking a 3-pointer. Monetta Hilory would then grab an offensive rebound and score on the layup while being fouled. Hilory sank the free throw to bring the Lakers within 3 at 20-17. After a Hawks basket, Hilory again scored as she drove the baseline and pulled up for a 6' jumper. After a Hawk miss, Hilory would score one more time on a juke move in the paint. The Hawks answered with a basket and the Lakers then missed their next shot. On the Hawks next possession, Arianna Vera picked the ball from the Hawks and drove the length of the court to bring the Lakers within 1, 24-23 at the end of the half.

In the 3rd quarter, the defensive intensity and physicality of both teams picked up. Neither team was able to take control as they had tied scores at 27, 29, 31, 32, 34, 41, and 43. The quarter ended after Kennedy Gadson was fouled on a drive to the basket. Gadson calmly sank both free throws to give the Lakers a 45-43 lead after 3 quarters of play. The 4th quarter was a continuation of the same style of play. Both teams played hard defense and looked to stymie the opponents offense. Again, this was a back-and-forth quarter with neither team able to get more than a 3 point lead throughout. Both teams were visiting the foul line regularly as the fouls piled up with the aggressive play. Tied at 54, Joh'niqua Clay would corral an offensive rebound and score on a layup. Later, Kennedy Coleman was fouled while rebounding. Coleman sank 1-2 free throws to give Lakeland the biggest lead of the quarter at 57-54 with 3:16 to play. Lakeland would foul the Hawks on their next possession and Hocking connected on both free throws to make the score 57-56. After both teams missed shots, Clay would get fouled and make both free throws to put the Lakers back up by 3 at 59-56 with 1:46 to play. The Hawks would answer with a basket before a Lakeland missed shot. The Hawks would take advantage of the miss and score again on a layup. Trailing 60-59 with under a minute to play, Kennedy Gadson was fouled and sank both free throws to put the Lakers up 61-60. On the next play, the Hawks were fouled and sank 1-2 to knot the score at 61. Lakeland called a timeout with 15 seconds remaining to set up the last shot. Unfortunately, the shot just missed as time expired sending the game into overtime.

In overtime, the Hawks won the tip and scored a layup quickly. Monetta Hilory answered with a pullup 12' jumper to tie the score at 63. Kanija Kimbrough was then fouled and sank 1-2 giving the Lakers a 64-63 lead. Lakeland's defense then forced a Hocking turnover. On the Lakers next possession, Hilory was holding the ball at the top of the key as time wound down. With under 3 seconds on the shot clock, Hilory kicked the ball to Kennedy Coleman who swished a deep 3-pointer to put the Lakers up 67-63 with under 3 minutes to play. Hocking would score on their next possession and a timeout was called. On the Lakers inbounds play, Kennedy Gadson would release and Gabriella Moore threw a baseball pass the length of the court setting Gadson up for an easy layup. The Hawks answered again with another basket to make the score 69-67 in favor of the Lakers. Lakeland was trying to use the clock on their possessions now as they tried to slow the game down. On the next play, Gadson drove the lane and was fouled. Gadson sank both free throws to put Lakeland up 71-67 with under a minute to play. On the next Hawks possession, Lakeland fouled and Hocking hit 1-2 free throws to make the score 71-68. As the Lakers inbounded the ball, Gadson was immediately fouled and this time sank 1-2 free throws to put Lakeland up 72-68 with 31 seconds to play.  In the next 15 seconds, Kanija Kimbrough blocked a shot and both teams were charged with turnovers as the teams scrambled for the ball. The game stabilized when Gabriella Moore was fouled and sank 1-2 free throws to put the Lakers up 73-68 with 9 seconds to play. Trailing 73-68, the Hawks put up a desperation 3 and missed as the Lakers were able to close out the victory.

Lakeland had 4 players score in double digits. Kennedy Gadson was the games high scorer with 23 points while Joh'niqua Clay finished with 16 points. Kennedy Coleman and Monetta Hilory each recorded 11 points while both Kanija Kimbrough and Gabriella Moore finished their afternoons with 5 points. Arianna Vera and Raegan Perkins-Hirz each played solid defense while adding a bucket in the Lakers win.  

Players of the Game: Kanija Kimbrough and Arianna Vera for their defensive intensity throughout

Gardy's Gab: "That was a very physical, very aggressive game. Both teams really went at it. Credit Hocking as they played exceptionally hard. I am very proud of the team though as it was a total team effort. Everyone contributed in some way throughout. I was really pleased with how hard we battled and fortunately were able to pull it out.  This was a great game by both teams...we'll get better from this and look to carry this forward."

Next Up: On Wednesday (11/19), the Lakers will travel to Owens Community College to face the Express. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 pm.