KIRTLAND, Ohio – Lakeland Community College had its chances to go after the lead on several occasions on Saturday afternoon but Hocking College was able to break through the Lakers' press and earn the 91-81 victory.
With the loss, Lakeland falls to 3-15 overall and 2-7 in Ohio Community College Athletic Conference play.
Ty Howard hit four shots behind the arc and led the Lakers with 19 points while Trey Granger earned a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Jeramie Burge came off the bench in the second half to score 12 points and Chandler Fointno also reached double figures with 10 points in the loss.
The game was tight early on as Solomon Hall hit a pair of free throws to give Lakeland an 11-8 lead with 12:57 left but Hocking followed that with 14 consecutive points to take a 22-11 lead with 8:29 left in the first half.
Howard was able to find a little space in the first half and helped to score six straight points for the Lakers later in the half and he also nailed a 3-pointer with 13 seconds left to get Lakeland within 36-31 at the half. Howard scored 10 points in the first half.
Lakeland knotted the game up early on in the second half with a 7-2 run that was capped with two made free throws by Aaron Pate to tie the game up at 38-38 with 17:23 left.
The Lakers tied the game but could not take the lead as Hocking seemed to have an answer whenever Lakeland got close. Burge and Granger each scored 12 points in the second half but Hocking was able to earn the 10-point victory.
Lakeland will look to bounce back on Wednesday, Feb. 7 with a home game against Columbus State Community College at 7:30 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.
