The Lakeland women's basketball team traveled to Erie Community College today and completed the season series sweep with a dominating second half that led to a decisive 85-43 victory over the Kats. Lakeland got off to a bit of a slow start in the first half as they looked to shake their travel legs. Monica Devine paced the Lakers in the opening period with 7 points while Monetta Hilory recorded 6 points for the Lakers. In the second quarter, the Lakers and the Kats played fairly even as Lakeland went into the break with a 34-25 lead.

Lakeland came out of the break and exploded for a 26-8 quarter advantage to put the game away. Kiara Smith got the Lakers going by hitting a 3-pointer to start the period before connecting on 1-2 free throws to give the Lakers a 38-25 lead less than one minute into the quarter. The teams would trade misses before Monica Devine sank a jump shot. Following a Kat turnover, Nitzy Rios hit a jumper giving the Lakers a 42-25 lead. Following another Kat turnover, Smith would connect on another jump shot. After the Kats hit 1-2 free throws, Monetta Hilory would get fouled and sink both free throws. The Kats would turn the ball over again and foul Monica Devine before she connected on 1-2 free throws for a 47-26 Laker lead. Both teams would then miss shots before Da'Vionna Singleton fed Rios for another bucket and a 49-26 lead. The Kats would then sink 2 free throws before Hilory hit another jump shot. Later in the quarter, the Kats would make 1-2 free throws before Jai'Lynne Hitt-Swartz stepped to the line and drained both free throws for a 53-29 Laker lead with just over 4 minutes to play in the quarter. From there, the Lakers expanded their lead and cruised to the victory.

Lakeland had 5 players finish with double digits in a very balanced attack. Monica Devine recorded a double-double as she finished with 23 points and 13 rebounds. Devine also added 6 steals. Kiara Smith just missed a double-double as she finished with 17 points and 9 steals. Smith also added 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Jai'Lynne Hitt-Swartz finished with 17 points on 5-8 shooting from the arc while also grabbing 5 rebounds. Monetta Hilory added 12 points and 7 rebounds while Nitzy Rios had 10 points and 4 rebounds. Da'Vionna Singleton finished her evening with 6 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists in the Laker win.

Gardy's Gab: "This was a nice team win as we were able to use our aggressiveness to create a lot of turnovers in the first half. We were able to continue that play in the second half and that helped us have more opportunities. We were able to play more cohesively - which was good to see."

Next Up: The Lakers will head to Mott Community College on Friday (12/20) where they will face Alpena Community College in a 1:00 pm tilt. On Saturday (12/21), the Lakers will face Muskegon Community College in an 11:00 am matchup at Mott.