PAINESVILLE, Ohio — Lake Erie returned to action for their last non-conference match-up of the season on Sunday, November 26, against the Thiel College Tomcats. After a slow first half, Lake Erie would control the game, finishing with an 88-70 win. This brings the Storm's overall record to 2-4 as they begin conference play.
The Storm ended the contest going 36-71 from the field at 50%. As a team they shot an impressive 11-13 from the stripe at 84%. Lake Erie grabbed 35 boards, 15 steals, 20 total assists, and 27 fast-break points. The coaching staff made great halftime adjustments leading to Lake Erie gaining the lead with 17 minutes to go. They would not see themselves down again.
After a back-and-forth first half, Lake Erie was down 34-37 at the break. Lake Erie caused 11 first half turnovers for the Tomcats off of six steals.
Lake Erie came out with great energy in the second half, playing with speed, full court trapping, and forcing turnovers. With a little over 10 minutes left to go in the game the Storm found themselves up 61-48. The Storm would easily start to pull away. After a three point deficit in the first half, the Storm impressively outscored the Tomcats 54-33 in the second half. Lake Erie forced 22 turnovers by the Tomcats and held them to a 36% field goal percentage in the second half.
The Storm had four players in double-digit scoring against the Tomcats. C.J. Hornbeak and Jacob Plantz each finished with a team high of 19 points. Jonny Manning also added in 18 points while Damion Williams finished with 11. Lake Erie was led and carried by their bench play with 53 points coming from reserves. Hornbeak and Williams were crucial off the bench for the Storm in the second half.
Plantz ended with 19 points on an efficient shooting day going 7-11 from the field and 3-5 from behind the arch. He also finished with three steals, three rebounds, and two assists off the bench. This shows just how crucial Plantz is for the Storm's success. Hornbeak added 19 points in a team high in efficiency shooting 9-14 from the field. He also finished with four rebounds, one assist, and one steal off the bench. Manning dropped 18 points, seven rebounds, one steal, and one block in just 21 minutes of action.
Lake Erie had four players finish with multiple steals tonight. Leon Hughes also stuffed the stat sheet with a team high seven rebounds, a team high five assists, a team high of two blocks, and one steal. Jake Leibacher and Caleb Piks led the Storm on the defensive end. Leibacher had a team high of four steals while Piks ended with three steals and one block, he also tied a team high in assists with five.
Lake Erie now begins conference play starting November 30, as they travel to Hillsdale, Michigan, to take on the Hillsdale College Chargers. Tip Off is at 7 PM.
