The NJCAA's 25th-ranked Lakeland men's basketball team played host to the NJCAA's 11th-ranked St. Clair County Skippers tonight in a matchup of two of Region XII's top teams. The game was a back and forth affair that was close throughout before the Lakers pulled away in the last 10 minutes of the game to defeat the Skippers by a final of 93-83. The teams were within a bucket of each other in the first half until Lakeland's Devin Belle hit a 6' jumper to give the Lakers a 20-17 lead. Lakeland would take advantage of a Skipper turnover and foul as Eric Cook hit 1-2 free throws for a 21-17 lead.  The teams would trade baskets before the Skippers took advantage of a few Lakeland misses and fouls to take the lead at 29-26 with just over 7 minutes remaining. The teams would continue to trade baskets and the Lakers went into the break trailing 40-36.

Early in the second half, Lakeland would committ 3 consecutive turnovers to allow the Skippers to take a 49-40 lead. The Lakers would not quit. On their next possession, Ben Hamilton would drain a 3-pointer on an assist from Kaleb Wanamaker. St. Clair would then miss their next shot and Hamilton nailed another 3-pointer. After another SC4 miss, the Lakers got the ball to Hamilton again. This time, the Skippers collapsed on him and so Hamilton dished to Keenan Hughes who drilled a 3-pointer to knot the score at 49 with just under 16 minutes to play. St. Clair would then miss it's next shot and Devin Belle connected on a turn-around jumper to give the Lakers a 51-49 lead. The teams would then trade fouls and made free throws with the Skippers regaining the lead at 54-53. Keenan Hughes than stole the ball and fed Adam Williams for a layup and a 55-54 lead. After St. Clair tied it with a free throw, Devin Belle recorded two strong offensive rebounds before connecting for a basket and a 57-55 Laker lead with just under 11 minutes to play. St. Clair would miss their next shot before Kaleb Wanamaker scored a layup for a 59-55 Laker lead. After another SC4 miss, Adam Williams drove the lane and fed Eric Cook for a layup as the defense collapsed on him. The teams would trade fouls and free throws over the next several minutes before Belle connected on 2 free throws to grow the Laker lead to 69-62. After a St. Clair score, Wanamaker would hit another layup for a 71-64 Laker lead with 6:30 to play. For the next two minutes, fouls were continued to be called on both teams and the teams  continued to exchange free throws. With 4 minutes remaining, Eric Cook broke the free throw contest with a big 3-pointer to give the Lakers a 79-70 lead. The teams again would trade fouls and free throws until Wanamaker connected with Belle for a dunk and an 88-78 Laker lead with under a minute to play. The teams continued to foul and hit free throws until the Lakers were finally able to close out the game. 

There were 50 fouls called in the game (27 against Lakeland and 23 against the Skippers). Lakeland shot 33-39 (85%) from the line and made eight 3-pointers.

Devin Belle led all scorers with 37 points while going 17-19 from the free throw line. Kaleb Wanamaker finished with 14 points while Eric Cook picked up 13 points. Adam Williams and Ben Hamilton each scored 9 points while Keenan Hughes finished with 6 points. Brandon Moore chipped in 4 points for the Lakers in the win.   

T's Talk: "That was an exciting game with two teams that really battled. Tip your cap to the Skippers as they are a very good and well-coached team. I'm also very proud of the effort our team gave tonight. The first half was a back and forth battle and we came out in the second half and were able to maintain and then actually pick-up the intensity. It was a quality well-deserved win. We will enjoy this today and then get ready for another tough test on Tuesday." 

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 performance 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.