(PAINESVILLE, Ohio) – The decade ended with on a positive note for Lake Erie as it had little trouble disposing of Thiel 91-55 at the Osborne Center on New Year's Eve. Despite having only one day of practice after the break, the Storm (9-5) shot just a shade under 50% in outgunning the Tomcats (2-7).

Eleven different players found the scoring column for the Green and White who distributed the ball just as well with nine players contributing to 20 assists.

Gabe Kynard (Sr., Toledo, Ohio / St. John's) once again led the field with 16 points on 7-of-15 from the floor in a limited role with just 22 minutes played. He pulled down six rebounds, dished out three helpers, and added two steals to his final line.

Jackson Burdyshaw (R-Jr., Perry, Ohio / Perry) and Kevin Peterson (So., Cleveland, Ohio / Padua) also reached double-figures with 11 markers each. Burdyshaw went 4-of-6 from the field with four rebounds while Peterson went 3-of-6 with three assists, two rebounds, a block, and a steal.

It didn't take long for the Storm to head up as they jumped out to a double-digit lead on Kaleb Vaughn's jumper that made the score 13-2 just under five minutes into the game. Lake Erie kept the pedal to the floor and eventually led by 20 at the halftime break thanks to a PJ Jones (So., Grove City, Ohio / Grove City) buzzer-beater to end the half.

"I thought our guys did a really good job of coming out and playing with great energy and effort," said Head Coach Kyle Conley when asked about the quick turnaround of returning to the court in competition mode. "I thought we executed really well. I think this game was good for us just to get back on the court. We hadn't played in 10 or 11 days and we have two big road league games this week."

Those two games will come up fast. Lake Erie will visit Findlay in just two days before heading back west to Hillsdale this Saturday.

Tip-off with Oilers is set for 7:30 p.m. on Thursday. Coverage will be provided on the Great Midwest Digital Network.