NORTH CANTON, Ohio – The Lake Erie College men's basketball team was in action today as they defeated Walsh, 83-79. 

Head Coach Kyle Conley said, "My guys played with tremendous energy.  Staying confident and snapping out of our recent shooting slump was big.  I am thrilled to get our first ever win at Walsh."

The Cavaliers opened the game with a layup.  The Storm responded with a quick 7-0 run to take a 7-2 edge.  The run was sparked by Lamont Rhodes (Bedford, Ohio / Bedford) as he had four of the seven points.  The strong start propelled the Storm to a 12-8 lead at the first media timeout of the game.  The teams traded baskets for four minutes and the Storm held a 19-18 advantage at the under 12 minute media timeout.  Out of the timeout, Walsh tied the game before the Storm went on a 7-0 run to take a 28-21 lead, at the under eight minute media timeout.  The run was highlighted by a three pointer from Harrison Riggs (Toledo, Ohio / St. John's).  The Storm held a 34-24 edge at the final media timeout of the first half.  After the timeout, the Storm extended their lead to 12 when Brogan Scott (Wadsworth, Ohio / Highland) hit a pair of foul shots, and the Storm entered the half with a 42-28 advantage.

Out of the locker room, Lake Erie extended their lead to 15 points before Walsh went on a 9-0 run to cut the Storm lead to 45-39 with just under 17 minutes remaining in the game.  The run forced a thirty second Storm timeout.  The Cavaliers were able to cut the Storm lead to four, before a 5-0 run by the Storm extended their lead to 53-44.  The run was capped by a Michael Morris (New Palestine, Ind. / New Palestine) three pointer off an assist by Mitch Loomis (Malvern, Ohio / Malvern).  The Storm led 55-46 at the under 12 minute media timeout in the second half.  The teams battled back and forth, and Lake Erie led, 62-52 at the under eight minute media timeout.  Out of the timeout, the Storm extended their lead to 13 with a pair of layups from Jordan Humphrey (Columbus, Ohio / Westerville South) and Scott.  The Cavaliers answered with an 8-0 run and cut the Lake Erie advantage to 66-61 with just over five minutes remaining in the game.  Walsh was able to trim the Storm lead to three points on numerous occasions late in the game, and with under a minute left they cut the Storm lead to 79-78.  Gabe Kynard (Toledo, Ohio / St. John's) hit a pair of foul shots with 11 seconds remaining in the game, to put the Storm up by three.  Lake Erie won the game, 83-79. 

The Storm was led by Kynard as he had a team high 20 points, four assists, and a career high in steals with five.  Rhodes had a double-double for the Storm as he tallied 14 rebounds and 12 points.  Riggs added 10 points, on 60 percent shooting from behind the arc.    

Coach Conley concluded, ""We've had a tough two week stretch and I am proud of our guys hanging together and coming up with a big road win against a very good GMAC opponent."

Lake Erie will be back in action Monday (Jan. 15) when they host Alderson Broaddus with the game set to tip at 5:30 p.m.

-LEC-