KIRTLAND, Ohio – No. 18 Lakeland Community College women's basketball was able to shrug off a lackluster start to grab a 12-point lead in the fourth quarter but that lead disappeared as St. Clair County Community College stormed back to beat the Lakers 58-54 Wednesday evening.

The loss to St. Clair is the first of the season for Lakeland as the Lakers now stand at 8-1 overall and 0-2 in the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference.

Armani Jackson led Lakeland with 13 points while Jayla Sanford was the only other Laker in double figures with 12 points. In its previous eight games, Lakeland has typically dominated the rebounding statistics but was outrebounded 59-38 in the loss.

Lakeland found trouble early on as St. Clair jumped out to a 9-3 lead in the first seven minutes. Armani Jackson was able to score couple of baskets and help get the Lakers back in the game. Lakeland still trailed 13-10 after one quarter.

Lakeland rolled off the first 10 points in the second quarter to take a 20-13 lead after a free throw from Delesha Jackson with 7:55 left in the half. Brianna Williams scored five points for the Lakers but it was St. Clair regaining momentum in the final minutes of the second quarter to take a 28-25 lead into the half.

The Lakers again started a quarter fast in the third and started with a 13-2 run as Sanford scored nine of those 13 points to give Lakeland a 38-30 lead with 2:54 left. Lakeland kept St. Clair at bay in the third and headed into the fourth with a 43-35 lead.

The fourth quarter started out good for Lakeland as Delesha Jackson drove in for a layup for a 47-35 lead with 8:11 left. That lead slowly started to disappear in the final minutes as the Lakers' offense went cold and St. Clair ended the game on a 21-7 run to steal away the four-point victory.

Lakeland will next hit the road on Saturday, Dec. 30 to face Jackson College at 1:30 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.