PAINESVILLE, Ohio (November 16, 2008) - Senior forward Derrick
Thornton (University Heights, Ohio/Lutheran East) came to play
Sunday afternoon as Lake Erie College took on Point Park University
in the consolation round of the Lake Erie College Tip-Off
Tournament. Thornton's efforts helped lift the Storm out of a
first-half deficit that totaled as many as 16. He scored eight of
the team's final 12 points of the half, sinking three-of-four from
the line, while burying a three-pointer and a bucket in the final
three-minute span. His tight defense also caused a five-second
violation within that time frame, allowing Lake Erie to make up
almost an entire 12-point margin and head into the locker room
down, 41-39.
In the second half, the Pioneers built up another lead, this
time by as many as eight. With 11:47 remaining in the game, senior
guard John Dickinson (Euclid, Ohio/Euclid) stole the ball and made
a fast-break layup to tie the score at 56. A jumper on the opposite
end put Point Park up by one, before sophomore guard Scott Aston (
Painesville, Ohio/Harvey) hit a three to give Lake Erie its first
lead of the game at 59-58 as the Storm scored nine unanswered
points.
Lake Erie held a nine-point lead until just under the
four-minute mark, 78-69, when it's shooting touch went cold and
allowed the Pioneers back in the game. With less than five seconds
on the clock and the game tied at 78, Point Park put up two shots
and was fouled on the second one. At the line with less than two
seconds to play, the Pioneers hit both from the stripe and Lake
Erie's final attempt missed the mark as the Storm lost 80-78.
Thornton scored 20 of his team-high 29 points in the first half
and finished the game with a 10-for-15 performance from the floor.
He went 8-for-11 from the line and was named to the all-tournament
team. Senior forward Rick Leasure (Concord, Ohio/Riverside) turned
in a solid effort with 18 points, seven rebounds, five steals and
four assists.
Lake Erie (0-2) is on the road Tuesday at Grand Valley State
University at 8 p.m. The Lakers are ranked No. 11 in the preseason
NABC Coaches Poll.
