The 13th ranked Lakeland men's basketball team played host to the Clark State Eagles today and came away with a 75-66 victory. With the win, the Lakers improve to 18-2 and 10-1 in conference play. The first half was a battle of contrasting styles as the Lakers tried to run an offense and use the clock on most possessions why the Eagles looked to convert fast breaks in transition. The teams went back and forth and the Lakers held a slim 22-21 lead with under 10 minutes to play in the half. On the Lakers next possession, Bishop Thomas made a quick no-look pass into the paint. The pass surprised the Eagles defense and Ansoumane Oulare calmly scored the layup for a 24-21 lead. After an Eagle turnover, Thomas converted a layup of his own for a 26-21 lead. After a Clark State inbounding violation, Thomas was fouled on his shot and calmly stepped to the line and sank them both for a 28-21 Laker lead. After a Clark turnover, Dondi Harper sliced his way inside for a basket and a 30-21 lead. The teams would trade baskets for the rest of the period before Harper stroked a 6-foot bank shot to close out the half with the Lakers leading 34-26.
Lakeland wasted no time in the second half as they had the first possession. Out of the break, Alex Benson fed PJ Daniels in the corner for a 3-pointer and a 37-26 Laker lead. The Lakers would expand their lead to 18 points after a Benson 3-pointer. Also included in the run were an old-fashioned 3-point play from Benson, a Jareon Mayo jumper, another PJ Daniels jumper, and a pair of baskets from Bishop Thomas. Leading 51-33, the Lakers went into a little funk as they missed some shots and kept getting whistled for fouls to put the Eagles on the line. Clark State battled all the way back to trail 61-59 with under 4:30 to play. The Lakers then exploded over the next 1:20. PJ Daniels hit a long jumper to increase the lead to 63-59. After a Clark turnover, Daniels connected on a layup to make the score 65-59. Clark State would then miss a shot before Alex Benson converted a layup. After Clark State hit 1-2 of free throws, Daniels connected on another long 2-pointer to give the Lakers a 69-60 edge with just over two minutes to play. From there, the Lakers closed out the win.
Lakeland had a very balanced scoring attack as 9 different players scored. For the Lakers, 4 different players finished in double digits. Jareon Mayo was the high scorer for Lakeland netting 16 points. Bishop Thomas finished his afternoon with 13 points. Alex Benson picked up 12 points while PJ Daniels added 11 points for the Lakers. Dondi Harpr connected for 9 points while Ansoumane Oulare finished with 4 points in the Lakers win.
T's Thoughts: "Credit Clark State for a good effort today. Our bench really had a strong first half which kept us in the game. In the second half, we played a lot harder and we were able to get some defensive stops. We have to turn the page quickly though and get ready for tomorrow."
Next Up: The Lakers will complete the home-and-home series as they make the trip to Springfield, OH tomorrow (2/10) to face these same Clark State Eagles. Tipoff is scheduled for 1:00 pm.
