PAINESVILLE, Ohio (February 16, 2009) - Lake Erie College increased its scoring in the second half, but still succumbed to the quickness of No. 4 Gannon University, losing 76-41 at Athletic Center Arena Monday night. In the teams' third meeting of the season, the Storm recorded its second highest block total of the year at seven, with senior Derrick Thornton (University Heights, Ohio/Lutheran East) and freshman Matt Grendel (Independence, Ohio/Independence) swatting away three apiece.

Lake Erie came out firing, with senior John Dickinson (Euclid, Ohio/Euclid) stroking a three from the top of the key to start the game. Gannon responded on its first trip to the basket with a two as it proceeded to score 16 unanswered points. Lake Erie was unable to gain much ground in the half, connecting on only five field goals to trail, 38-16 at the break.

In the second half, the Storm shot a bit better, going 7-for-22 from the floor and 9-for-14 from the line. Gannon continued to punch the ball inside, finishing the game with 34 points in the paint. The Golden Knights also connected on a total of eight 3-pointers, which is one shy from its team total in the previous two meetings this season combined.

Sophomore Ethan Bradshaw (Cincinnati, Ohio/Harmony Prep) was the only Storm player to score in double figures with 10 for the night. Thornton and sophomore Evan Garrett (Guysville, Ohio/Federal Hocking) scored seven points each. Senior Rick Leasure (Concord, Ohio/Riverside) had a team-high five rebounds.

Lake Erie (7-18) will play in its final home game of the season on Saturday at 4 p.m. against Central State University. The game will be broadcast live on WELW 1330 AM and welw.com. It is Senior Day, as well as Fan Appreciation Day. Lake Erie played at Central State on Jan. 10 of this year and lost, 102-72.