PAINESVILLE, Ohio (December 16, 2008) - For the first time this season, all five starters for Lake Erie College scored in double figures as the Storm defeated Ohio Dominican University, 98-82 Tuesday night at Athletic Center Arena. Lake Erie scored the greatest amount of points in its 12 games this year, while shooting a season-best 66-percent from the field (43-for-65). Lake Erie also recorded season-highs for field goals made (43), assists (27) and steals (12).

Lake Erie started the game strong, getting out to a 15-4 lead after sophomore Ethan Bradshaw (Cincinnati, Ohio/Harmony Prep) swished three consecutive 3-pointers within a minute. Ohio Dominican rallied to bring the score within one at 17-16 with 12:41 to play. The Storm never lost the lead, despite allowing the Panthers to remain within one point  up until the 11-minute mark. Lake Erie then built a 21-point advantage which it took into the break at 55-34.

In the second half, Lake Erie was outscored 48-43, but the damage was already done as the Storm cruised to an easy victory, which was its third of the season, putting the team on a two-game winning streak. Senior Derrick Thornton (University Heights, Ohio/Lutheran East) scored a team-high 23 points on an 11-for-14 performance from the field. He completed the night with six rebounds, six assists  and three steals. Bradshaw and senior Rick Leasure (Concord, Ohio/Riverside) scored 15 points each, combining for a 12-for-21 effort from the floor. Leasure also added five rebounds and three steals, while Bradshaw had five assists and two steals. Junior Veljko Lalovic (Podgorica, Montenegro/Lake Region) scored 12 points and senior John Dickinson (Euclid, Ohio/Euclid) totaled 11 points and a career-high eight assists.

Lake Erie (3-9) will compete in the Malone Tournament this Friday and Saturday, taking on Grace College of Indiana on Friday at 6 p.m.