ERIE, Penn. – The Lake Erie College Storm men's basketball team competed in the 38th annual Gary Miller Classic hosted by Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania on November 25-26. The Storm would defeat Gannon 80-73 in the semifinals but fall the Winston-Salem State in the finals 73-70.

Gary Miller Classic Semifinals - Nov. 25

The Storm and Golden Knights battled back and forth throughout the contest, with 28 lead changes and nine ties, neither team held a distinct advantage throughout the contest. Lake Erie would have things lean slightly in their favor during the first half as they help a lead throughout the majority of play and would lead by six at one point. With both teams continuing to swap leads deep into the second half, Gannon would manage to go up 73-70 with two minutes to play. Good defensive play by Jacob Plantz and a second chance basket by P.J. Jones would put the Storm up 76-73. A missed three-pointer by Gannon would result in a team rebound for Lake Erie which would help them seal the victory, 80-73

Jones would lead the team in scoring with 22 points while adding five rebounds and three steals with Jonny Manning not far behind him with 21 points and seven rebounds. Manning would also shoot an impressive 11-12 from the free-throw line. As a team, despite being outrebounded, the key to victory for them was their decision-making and clutch shots down the stretch.

Gary Miller Classic Finals - Nov. 26

After defeating Gannon in the semifinals, the Storm would advance to play the Winston-Salem State Rams in the finals. It would be another tight game with neither team getting more than a seven-point advantage at any point. Lake Erie would hold the lead for the longest time, however, managing to be in front for 11:27. With nine minutes remaining in the game, the Rams would take the lead and never look back. Despite the Storm on their heels they would finish strong and earn a 73-70 victory. Lake Erie would play much better as a team, shooting better from the field and beyond the arc compared to their last game but turnovers and getting beat in the paint would ultimately cost them the game.

Kevin Peterson would lead the way this time for the Storm, posting 14 points while adding eight rebounds. Jones and Manning would each score 13 points in the loss with Manning adding eight rebounds as well.

Manning and Jones would also earn all-tournament honors on the weekend with Manning combining for 34 points and 15 rebounds with Jones combining for 35 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists.

The weekend takes the Storm's record to 2-3 in the early season and they will play their first conference match of the season on Thursday, December 1 at 6:00 PM on the road against Tiffin before returning home on December 3 to face Cedarville at 3:00 PM.