The Lakeland women's basketball team played host to the NJCAA's 21st ranked St. Clair County Skippers tonight and fell in a hard-fought 79-64 decision. The first half saw the two teams play a tight contest as each team worked to take command. Neither team was able to take control until the Skippers pulled ahead 27-21 with under 4 minutes to play in the half. On the Lakers next possession, Jai'Lynne Hitt-Swartz drove the lane for a basket to cut the Laker deficit to 27-23. The teams would trade missed shots until Da'Vionna Singleton drained a 3-pointer to cut the Laker deficit to 1 at 27-26. Following a Skipper basket, Singleton would score on a layup. The Skippers would then connect on two free throws before Monetta Hilory grabbed an offensive rebound and was fouled. Hilory sank both free throws to bring the Lakers within 1 point again at 31-30. After a Skipper missed shot, Hitt-Swartz was fouled while rebounding and stepped to the free throw line and connected on both to send the Lakers into the break with a 32-31 lead.
The tale of the second half was foul trouble for the Lakers. After picking up a few fouls in the first half, they picked up several fouls early in the 3rd quarter. The aggressive play allowed the Lakers to continue to have offensive opportunities, but also began to hinder them defensively. The Lakers would keep it close for the first part of the 3rd quarter and trailed 45-42 with about 3 minutes to play in the quarter. St. Clair would then take advantage of a couple of Laker missed shots and a turnover to grow their lead to 58-45 at the end of the quarter. From there, Lakeland was unable to close the gap as they fell to the Skippers.
Jai'Lynne Hitt-Swartz led the Lakers with 21 points while Monica Devine also had a strong night finishing with 16 points. Da'Vionna Singleton and Kiara Smith both added 8 points while Nitzy Rios picked up 7 points. Monetta Hilory chipped in 4 points for the Lakers. Lakeland shot 15-21 (71%) from the free throw line.
Gardy's Gab: "I was really pleased with our effort tonight. Playing with a short bench is tough and give credit to St. Clair as they are a well coached team that had some good size. We have to keep working hard and continue to get in better shape. We really battled though - saw improvement from our last game which is good. We just have to gas it up and get ready for our next game."
Next Up: On Tuesday (11/12), the Lakers will host the Kats from Erie Community College. The Tuesday game will also be Military Appreciation Night which will include a special presentation prior to the women's game as well as give-aways, etc. The evening is sponsored by the Lakeland Community College Veterans Center and will include a special peformance from the members of the Willoughby South High School band and majorettes. The special presentation is scheduled to begin at about 4:40 pm with the women tipping at 5:00 pm. The men's team is scheduled to tip at 7:00 pm.
