NORTH EAST, Pa. – Lakeland men's basketball was unable to recover from a slow start and a 10-point halftime deficit in an 83-76 loss to Mercyhurst North East Tuesday night.

The loss is the first of the season for the Lakers as their overall record falls to 5-1. Lakeland remains 1-0 in Ohio Community College Athletic Conference play.

Lakeland was led in scoring by Tyreke Johnson who finished with 31 points and eight rebounds in the loss. Rob Brown had a 16 point and eight rebounds performance while Jonny Bowers also reached double figures with 10 points.

Johnson got off to a good start individually with 12 points in the first half but Lakeland fell behind Mercyhurst in the opening 20 minutes. Mercyhurst North East scored the first seven points of the game and got the lead up to 12 points with 5:08 left in the first before settling for a 44-34 lead at the break.

Johnson kept rolling in the second half with 19 points while Brown added 13 points as the Lakers outscored Mercyhurst North East 42-39 in the second half.

Brown helped Lakeland make a charge in the second half with a layup at the 13:34 mark to give the Lakers a 53-49 lead. Johnson made a layup to give Lakeland a 61-57 lead with 10:26 left but Mercyhurst rattled off 13 consecutive points to take a 70-61 lead that would not be given back to the Lakers.

Lakeland got to within five points with 1:31 left but Mercyhurst North East was able to hold on for the seven-point victory.

Lakeland will be back home on Wednesday, Nov. 28 for a conference matchup 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.