KIRTLAND, Ohio – No. 18 Lakeland men's basketball crawled back into the game in the second half but was not able to come all the way back as Niagara County Community College held on for the 84-74 victory Saturday afternoon.
The loss is just the third for the Lakers as they fall to 11-3 overall and remain 2-1 in Ohio Community College Athletic Conference play.
Lakeland was led by Isaiah Washington, who played in his first game of the season and scored 19 points. Christian Austin-Pitts finished with 13 points while John Dawson also reached double figures with 10 points.
The first half was a rough half for the Lakers as Niagara County outscored Lakeland 46-29 in the first 20 minutes. Washington led with seven points in the first half while Tyreke Johnson added six. Niagara County made 6-of-14 3-point shots in the first half to help with the lead.
The second half was much better for Lakeland as the offense got going with Washington scoring 12 in the second and Dawson adding 10 points.
Niagara County got up as big as 25 points at the 18:07 mark but Lakeland chipped away at the lead. The Lakers ran off 10 straight points capped by a layup by Washington with 9:37 left to get within 61-48.
Lakeland got within single digits as Washington and Austin-Pitts hit back-to-back buckets to get the Lakers within 71-65 with 3:12 left. Lakeland would not be able to get the game any closer as Niagara County held on for the 10-point win.
Lakeland will be back home on Wednesday, Jan. 9 at 7:30 p.m. against Bryant & Stratton (OH).
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.
