PAINESVILLE, Ohio -- The Lake Erie men's basketball team had their first home game of the season on Wednesday night, walking away with a 92-76 victory over D'Youville. The Storm controlled nearly the entire contest, winning in every major statistical category, especially points in the paint (48-26), turnovers (eight fewer), and bench points (43-20). With the win, Lake Erie stays undefeated and moves to 3-0 on the season, the first time that's happened since the 2006-07 season when they finished 25-3 overall.
Game Recap
It didn't begin as a full-on onslaught, as the first thirteen minutes produced just a five-point advantage for the Storm at 23-18. From that point on, however, Lake Erie took control and went on a 13-point run, pushing the lead to eighteen and keeping it there through halftime. Three straight threes by Caelum Ethridge, Trace Bishko, and Gavin Welch sparked the surge, and the Storm never looked back thanks to their hounding defense that consistently kept the Saints in check.
Lake Erie pushed the lead to 25 in the second half and cruised to a 16-point victory against a D'Youville team with clear talent, a good sign for the Storm as the season progresses.
Analysis
"Press Erie" was in full effect tonight, as the Saints struggled nearly every possession just to cross half court. While 13 steals is impressive, it doesn't tell the full story. The pressure was constant and resulted in 28 turnovers for D'Youville, tied for their second-most in the past four seasons. When it takes 10 to 12 seconds just to initiate your offense, it becomes difficult to get quality looks, and that is exactly what the Storm excel at forcing, especially against teams with similar athleticism.
A seven-rebound advantage on the offensive glass was another major factor. Lake Erie has placed a strong emphasis on this area, finishing last season with 155 more offensive rebounds than opponents. This year, they have once again dominated the offensive boards. These extra possessions lead to more second-chance points, a category that has a major impact on winning and on building momentum. Tonight's 11-point edge in that area played a big role in the outcome.
Points in the paint were also heavily in Lake Erie's favor, nearly doubling the Saints total at 48-26. That success comes from their aggression in transition and their philosophy of consistently seeking the best available look, which is often at the rim. This approach also helps on nights when the perimeter shot is not falling, something the program has experienced at times.
The Matchup
Last year marked the first meeting between these programs. Lake Erie held a one-point lead at halftime before pulling away late for a 96-84 win. Tonight's 16-point victory moves the Storm to 2-0 in the series.
Looking Ahead
The Storm will hit the road for their next three games, beginning Saturday at Clarion before heading to the Gary Miller Classic next weekend, where they will face Mansfield and then either Gannon or Virginia State.
The Clarion Golden Eagles enter at 2-1 after an opening loss to No. 11 West Liberty and wins over Wheeling and Frostburg State. Clarion is led by its 6-foot-5 scoring duo of Gavin Cote and Kendon Peebles, who have both averaged over 20 points-per-game this season.
