WILBERFORCE, Ohio (January 10, 2009) - Lake Erie College hung in the ballgame for much of the first half keeping the deficit in single digits, but strong shooting from the hosts in the second half kept the Storm at a disadvantage as Central State University earned the win, 102-72 Saturday night.

Lake Erie went behind after a Marauder layup off the tip, but recovered nicely on the opposite end with a three-pointer by sophomore Ethan Bradshaw (Cincinnati, Ohio/Harmony Prep). The Storm pumped its lead to three after a defensive stop and jumper by senior John Dickinson (Euclid, Ohio/Euclid) and remained the leaders for the next few minutes.

The score was knotted on several occasions, but Lake Erie didn't take a back seat to the hosts until 15:31 when a Marauder jumper took over the lead at 14-13. Although that was the first lead of the half for the hosts since Lake Erie's opening score, Central State carried the advantage the remainder of the game. Lake Erie did keep things close, still trailing by just one point with seven minutes to play in the first period at 36-35 on a triple score by senior Matt Moore (Frederickton, Ohio/Frederickton), but Central State increased its lead to eight to finish out the half, 45-37.

The second half began with an 18-6 Marauder run as the team went 6-for-10 from the floor on its way to shooting 61-percent for the half with eight three-pointers. Lake Erie countered with 14 field goals and three treys.

For the game, four Storm players scored in double figures with Bradshaw's 16 leading the way. Senior Derrick Thornton (University Heights, Ohio/Lutheran East) and sophomore Evan Garrett (Guysville, Ohio/Federal Hocking) each scored 12 points, followed by sophomore Scott Aston's (Painesville, Ohio/Harvey) 10. Sophomore Will Green (Cleveland, Ohio/Max Hayes) had six rebounds.

Lake Erie (5-14) has a two-week break before heading to Southern Indiana on Jan. 26 to take on the current Great Lakes Valley Conference leader at 7:30 p.m.