The Lakeland men's basketball team, currently ranked 11th in the country in the NJCAA's latest poll, traveled to Lorain County today to face the Commodores. It was a back and forth battle between the two teams before the Lakers pulled away late in overtime for the 94-90 win. The Lakers record now stands at 11-1, 3-0 in conference play, after they swept the season series from the Commodores. In the first 3 minutes of the game, the Lakers jumped out to a quick 9-2 lead as Jareon Mayo, PJ Daniels, and Justin Covington all nailed 3-pointers. However, the Commodores would settle down and work to get back into the game as they took advantage of Laker turnovers and missed shots. Lorain would take the lead at 10-9 with 14:30 still to play in the half. Th two teams would then trade baskets for most of the rest of the half until the Commodores took a 5 point lead, 40-35, with 1:20 to play in the half after a made layup. On Lakeland's next possession, Brandon Lane would grab an offensive rebound and then score on a layup to bring the Lakers within 3 at 40-37 with 1 minute to play. During the Commodores next possession, Lane would then block a shot and corral the rebound to give the Lakers the final possession of the half. Lakeland closed out the half with Nate Houston converting an old-fashioned 3-pointer as he made a layup as he was fouled on and then connected on the free throw to send the teams into the break tied at 40.

In the second half, the Lakers started out ice cold as they missed numerous layups and jump shots enabling Lorain County to gain a 13-point, 60-47 lead, with just under 13 minutes to play. The Lakers would then start to battle back as Nate Houston hit a layup. After a Commodore miss, Ben Hamilton hit a jumpshot to cut the deficit to 60-51. Following another Lorain miss, Jareon Mayo would set up Ansoumane Oulare for a bucket. Oulare was fouled on the score and then sank the free throw to bring the Lakers within 6 at 60-54. Later in the half, the Commodores would build their lead back to 9 points before Oulare connected on another layup. Mayo would then steal the ball and make a layup to make the score 65-60 in favor of the Commodores with 8 minutes to play. Lorain County fouled on their next possession sending the Lakers to the line in a 1 and 1 situation. Lakeland missed, but PJ Daniels grabbed the offensive rebound and Jareon Mayo finished with a basket to bring the Lakers within 3 at 65-62. Alex Benson then stole the ball which led to another layup from Mayo with 7:45 to play. On the Commodores next possession, the Mayo stole the ball and converted a layup to give the Lakers a 66-65 lead with 7:15 to play. Lakeland would then build a 5 point lead, 78-73, after an Alex Benson made layup with 3:09 to play. The Commodores would then hit a 3-pointer before Benson connected on 1 of 2 free throws for a 79-76 Laker advantage. The Commodores would then hit 2 free throws before a Laker miss and foul would put Lorain back at the line. The Commodores connected on both of those and held a 80-79 lead with 1:10 to play. On Lakeland's next possession, Justin Covington was fouled and he made 1 of 2 free throws to knot the score at 80. Both teams would miss shots down the stretch to send the game to overtime.

In overtime, the teams traded baskets until the score was tied at 90 with 40 seconds to play. On Lakeland's next possession, they would have a shot blocked before Ansoumane Oulare came up with the big rebound. The Lakers quickly called a timeout with 12 seconds to play. Out of the timeout, Lakeland took a 92-90 lead when Justin Covington made a layup. The Commodores were then whistled for a foul and Bishop Thomas connected on both free throws to ice the game.

Lakeland had a very balanced attack as 6 players finished in double digits. Jareon Mayo led the way with 21 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 steals. PJ Daniels scored 12 points and picked up 6 boards while Alex Benson finished with 12 points and 3 steals for the Lakers. Bishop Thomas and Nate Houston each scored 11 points while Justin Covington recorded 10 points and 4 rebounds. Ansoumane Oulare finished his evening with 5 points and 8 boards while Brandon Lane picked up 6 points and 6 rebounds in the Laker win.

Next Up: The Lakers will finally return home on Saturday (1/13) as they face off against the Jamestown Jayhawks in a 1:00 pm tip. This is a re-scheduled game as the two teams were snowed out on 11/28. The Lakers defeated Jamestown 75-68 in the season opener on November 1st in Jamestown.