The Lakeland men's basketball team played host to the Owens Express tonight and came away with a 75-55 victory. Lakeland started off strong as they jumped to a 7-0 lead a little over a minute into the game. Devin Belle started the game with an offensive rebound and a put back for an early 2-0 lead. Amarion Glenn then had a steal allowing Brandon Moore to connect on a layup. On the next Express possession, Glenn blocked a shot before Brandon Moore hit a 3-pointer and it appeared the Lakers may be off to the races. The Express battled back though as they took advantage of a Laker shooting cold spell and turnovers to work there way back into the game. At the 12 minute mark, the Express had knotted the score at 12. The teams then traded baskets most of the rest of the period and went into the break tied at 27.

Early in the second half with the Lakers trailing 37-36, Lakeland finally started to hit it's stride. After an Owens miss, Demarr Foster scored a layup to give the Lakers a 38-37 lead. The Lakers would then block a shot before Kaleb Wanamaker split the lane and and fed Amarion Glenn for a 3-pointer. On the next Express possession, Eric Cook would block a shot and Foster would get fouled driving to the basket. Off the missed free throw, David McClain had a perfect read as he grabbed the rebound and scored a layup while still in the air. After an Express basket and then a Laker miss, Cook would block another shot. This time McClain was fed the ball in the corner where he drained a 3-pointer to give he Lakers a 46-39 lead with 13 to play. Owens answered with a 3-pointer and then Eric Cook connected with a turnaround lay-in. After an Express turnover, Adam Williams would drive along the baseline and then feed Cook under the basket for another layup and a 50-42 lead. The Express then scored before Williams answered with another driving layup. Owens would later turn the ball over and Williams would score on another layup to give the Lakers a 10-point 54-44 lead. The teams would then trade baskets before David McClain had a steal. McClain would later get the ball back and score another 3-pointer for a 59-46 Lakeland lead. From there, the Lakers continued to slowly expand their lead as they salted away the victory.  

Lakeland had a very balanced attack as 9 different players scored - 3 in double digits. David McClain was Lakeland's high scorer with 15 points. Adam Williams finished with 13 points while Amarion Glenn picked up 12 points for the Lakers. Eric Cook finished his night with 9 points while Brandon Moore added 8 points. Demarr Foster collected 7 points while Devin Belle chipped in 6 points in the Laker win. 

AC Christian's Corner: "It wasn't a pretty win, but we were able to sub-freely and give some guys off the bench a good opportunity. They definitely responded and showed some things that they are capable of doing - that was great to see. David (McClain) really stepped up and had a strong night and I was please with Amarion's (Glenn) defense. He was challenged to get 4 steals and he did that. We struggled a bit in the first half but really listened during the break and were able to make the adjustments in the second half. We had some stretches with good execution. Everyone chipped in. It was nice to bounce back after Saturday and get back on the winning track. We'll need to get right back at it though as we have a very good challenge for us coming up this weekend."

Next Up: The Lakers will travel to St.Clair County on Saturday (11/23) to face the Skippers in non-league action. Tipoff is scheduld for 3:00 pm.