The Lakeland men's basketball team played host to the Jamestown Jayhawks tonight and came away with an 88-65 win. The victory allowed the Lakers to sweep the season series from the Jayhawks and improved their overall record to 5-1. The game started off as a back and forth affair as neither team was able to establish themselves early. Late in the first half, the Lakers took a 28-21 lead on a 15 foot jumper from Jaidon Lipscomb before the Jayhawks got hot from 3-point range. Jamestown would come back and take a 31-30 lead with 3:05 to play before the Lakers finished on a run. Lipscomb got the Lakers going by connecting on a NBA range 3-pointer to regain the lead at 33-31. After a Jamestown turnover, Lipscomb drilled another 3-pointer. On the shot Lipscomb was also fouled. He then sank the free throw for a 4-point play. This momentum switch allowed the Lakers to go into the half up 40-34.
The Jayhawks had one more run in them to start the second half. Lakeland came out and missed some shots and Jamestown took advantage and closed the gap to 42-40. Chris Tackett would then score on a layup as the shot clock wound down to push the lead back to 4 points. Later in the half, with Lakeland up 50-44, Landon Tillaman would get fouled and step to the line and drain them both. On the Jayhawks next posession, Tackett would block a shot and Tillman would score on a layup to increase the lead to 54-44. Jamestown would miss thie next shot and Zach Wartley scored on a driving layup for a 56-44 Laker advantage. After another Jayhawk miss, Wartley would drain a 3-pointer on a quick assist from Tackett. After another Jayhawk miss, Brandon Lane would score on a layup from Wartley. On Lakeland's next possession, Lane was fouled and he coverted 1 of 2 free throws for a 62-45 advantage. After two Jayhawk free throws, Lipscomb would steal the ball and score on a layup to push the lead to 17 at 64-47. Lakeland would foul again and Jamestown hit both free throws to cut the lead to 64-49. The Lakers continued to us the clock on their next posession and Lipscomb made another layup as time was expiring. After a Jayhawk turnover, Bishop Thomas would give a quick one touch pass to Chris Tackett for a dunk and a 68-49 lead. Jamestown would then miss thir next shot and Wartley would convert an old-fashioned 3 point play by hitting a 15 foot shot and the free throw after being fouled. From there, the Lakers cruised the rest of the half and closed out the win.
Jaidon Lipscomb led all scorers with 34 points. Landon Tillman finished his night wih 17 points while Zack Wartley added 14 points. Brandon Lane scored 9 points while Bishop Thomas chipped in 8 points in the win.
Players Perspective
Zach Wartley - We started a slittle slow in the first half, but were able to come on and play better in the second half. We have a lot of things to work on as a team. Despite the win, we look at it as us vs. us - we are trying to get better as a team." On his play tonight, Wartley commented "I'm just trying to get better every game and make the right plays. If someone is open, I try to get them involved by getting them the ball. If the shot is open, I just try to take the shot."
T's Thoughts: "We started slow again - just like our last game. That's on me to change something to help us get off to a better start. We played better in the second half. We were able to step up defensively which helped us get some transitions baskets to get us going. We need to keep working hard to get better and get healthy."
Next Up: The Lakers will play host to the Niagara County Thunderwolves on Wednesday, November 30. Tip off is scheduled for 7:30 pm. It is Military Appreciation Night and there will be more inormation to follow.
