KIRTLAND, Ohio – Lakeland Community College was so close to sealing up its first conference home victory as the Lakers led by seven with 27.4 left in regulation but Owens Community College found a way to tie the game and then win 85-80 in double overtime Wednesday night.
With the loss, the Lakers fall to 2-13 overall and 1-5 in Ohio Community College Athletic Conference play.
Jeramie Burge didn't get the start but led Lakeland with 24 points while Trey Granger added 17 points and 11 rebounds in the loss. Ty Howard finished with 13 and Chandler Fointno tossed in 11.
After changing around its starting lineup to open the game, Lakeland came out with good energy and shot out to a 16-9 lead with 9:32 left in the half. The lead got as big as 11 points on two occasions for the Lakers as a layup from Aaron Pate gave Lakeland a 29-18 lead with 4:40 left.
Owens chipped into the lead just before halftime but the Lakers still led 34-26 at the break. Burge scored 10 points in the first 20 minutes to lead the way.
Lakeland came out with the same energy at both ends of the court and was mostly able to maintain their lead in the second half. Even with Owens turning up the defensive pressure, the Lakers were still able to cling to a 69-62 lead with 27.4 seconds left. That lead disappeared as Owens got hot from behind the 3-point line and then took advantage of a Lakeland turnover to tie the game at 71-71 and force overtime.
One overtime was not enough to decide a winning as Solomon Hall hit one of two free throws to tie the game at 78-78 with 12.2 left and an Owens attempt at a game winner banged off the rim to force double overtime.
Lakeland ran out of gas in the second overtime and did not hit a field goal in the extra five minutes and could only score two points in the second overtime. Owens scored seven and held on for the five-point victory.
Lakeland will next hit the road on Saturday, Jan. 27 to face Sinclair Community College for a game at 3 p.m.
For more information about Lakeland athletics, visit www.athletics.lakelandcc.edu.
About Lakeland Community College
Founded in 1967, Lakeland Community College was the first college in Ohio created by a vote of the people. True to our mission, Lakeland provides quality learning opportunities to meet the social and economic needs of the community.
Offering day, evening, weekend and online classes, the college serves more than 10,800 credit and 2,800 noncredit students (2016). For more information about the College, visit www.lakelandcc.edu.
