ASHLAND, Ohio—The Lake Erie College men's basketball team opened their season with a narrow 72-69 loss against eighth-ranked University of Indianapolis Friday (Nov. 13).

The game featured 11 ties and seven lead changes. 

The teams battled back-and-forth throughout the first half, with neither team able to find a distinct advantage.  After 20 minutes, the Storm narrowly led, 32-31.

Andy Bosley (Columbus, Ohio/Orange) led the Storm with 10 first-half points, hitting two-of-three shots from beyond the arch.  He also grabbed four rebounds.  Nick Deitsch (Lewis Center, Ohio/Orange) had eight points while Michael Morris (New Palestine, Ind./New Palestine) had five.  Nick Wells (Akron, Ohio/St. Vincent-St. Mary's) had three assists in the half.

The Storm hit 13-of-34 (38.2%) from the floor in the opening half, but went six-of-14 (42.9%) on three pointers.

Indianapolis opened the second half on a 6-0 run to take a 37-33 lead.  A lay-up by Morris and three by Sean Howard (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence North) quickly tied the game for the sixth time.  After trading baskets, a Morris three gave the Storm the lead once again. 

The Storm maintained their lead until Indianapolis made a push with less than five minutes to play.  Trailing 62-56, the Greyhounds tied the game at 65 with two minutes to play. 

Bosley gave the Storm the lead back with a dunk but the Greyhounds answered with a lay-up. 

With 25 seconds to play, Trey Howard (Lima, Ohio/Lima Shawnee) was sent to the line for two free-throws.  He converted both to give the Storm a 69-67 lead.  However, Indianapolis matched Howard's free-throws with a pair of their own to tie the game once again. 

In the closing seconds, the Storm turned the ball over.  On the ensuing inbound, the Greyhounds hit a three pointer to narrowly escape with the win, 72-69.

Morris led the Storm with 15 points, hitting five-of-eight from the field a three-of-six threes.  Bosley had 12 to go with a team-high six rebounds and a pair of blocks.  Sean Howard had 11 while Trey Howard had ten.  Wells and Trey Howard shared the Storm lead with three assists.  Roy Alexander (Columbus, Ohio/Walnut Grove), Deitsch and Steve Walczak (Columbus, Ohio/Olentangy) had four rebounds apiece.  

The Storm ended the game shooting 40% (24-of-60) from the field and 40.7% (11-of-27) from the three-point line.  They turned the ball over 12 times compared to the Greyhounds' 15.

Lake Erie is back in action Saturday (Nov. 14) against Missouri S&T.

-LEC-