KIRTLAND, Ohio – The Lakeland Community College men's basketball team opened their 2016-2017 season with a 74-65 victory over Jamestown Community College.
The Jayhawks opened the game on an 8-2 run with Tyler Moffee providing six of the eight points for Jamestown. The Lakers responded quickly with a 10-0 run to take their first lead of the game. Larnell Nealy (Norton, Ohio / Copley) and Jeramie Burge (Shaker Heights, Ohio / Shaker Heights) each a three pointer to spark the run. Lakeland held the lead for the majority of the half, however the Jayhawks went on an 8-0 run that gave them a 33-32 advantage, with a little over a minute remaining in the half. Donald McCain (Euclid, Ohio / Lutheran East) and Trevon Granger (Bedford Heights, Ohio / Bedford) made back to back layups and the Lakers regained their lead. Lakeland entered the intermission with a 36-35 lead.
Alonzo Hamilton (Edison, New Jersey / Linden) and Burge led the Lakers in the first half as each tallied six points and had an assist. Jeff Nevulis (Willowick, Ohio / Willoughby South) also pitched in with four rebounds and a pair of steals in the half.
Jamestown opened the second half with the first two buckets and regained a 39-36 advantage over Lakeland. The second half remained tight as both teams battled and the score was 63-58 with a little more than eight minutes remaining in the match. The Lakers found their grove for a 9-0 run to regain a 67-63 lead. The Lakeland run was highlighted by a three pointer from Najee Lucky (Plainfield, New Jersey / Piscataway). After Jamestown cut the Lakers lead to two with three minutes remaining in the game, Lakeland ended the game on a 7-0 run behind the foul shooting of Da'ron Falkner (Bedford, Ohio / Bedford) as he made three big foul shots in the final minute of the game. The Lakers won the game 74-65.
Hamilton led Lakeland, with 14 points three rebounds and an assist in the game. Burge added 11 points two rebounds and a steal. Calvin Giles (Cleveland, Ohio) led the Lakers defensive effort, as he had a game high 16 rebounds, and a pair of blocked shots.
Lakeland will be back in action Friday (Nov. 11) and Saturday (Nov. 12) when they host the TJ Memorial tournament. The Lakers will square off with Rock Valley on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
-Lakers-