KIRTLAND, Ohio – Lakeland men's basketball had a good look at a game-tying 3-pointer and a put back at the buzzer that would have forced overtime but missed both as Columbus State Community College escaped with a 64-62 victory Wednesday night.
With the loss, Lakeland falls to 5-2 overall and 1-1 in Ohio Community College Athletic Conference play. Columbus State improved to 2-0 in the OCCAC.
Lakeland only had one player in double figures in the low-scoring contest as Chandler Fointno scored a game-high 16 points. John Dawson and Tyreke Johnson each scored nine for the Lakers.
Lakeland came out strong in the first half as Fointno scored nine of his 16 points in the first half while Dawson scored all nine points in the first half. Baskets were hard to come by for both teams as Lakeland never led by more than eight points and maintained a 38-32 lead at the break.
The Lakers were able to hold onto their lead early on in the second half as Allen Sims made a layup at the 12:15 mark left in the game to make the score 48-40. Columbus State followed with a 10-2 run over the next five minutes to tie the game up at 50-50 with 7:17 left.
Columbus State built up a 64-59 lead with 38 seconds left but Jonny Bowers made a layup to cut the lead to three. Lakeland had a look at a 3-pointer fall short and a tip-in after an offensive rebound just missed, giving Columbus State the two-point victory.
Lakeland will next play in the Skippers Holiday Classic in Port Huron, Mich. against the host St. Clair County Community College on Friday, Nov. 30 at 8 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.
