NORTH CANTON, Ohio -- The Lake Erie women's basketball team took on the Walsh Unibersity Cavaliers tonight on the road for another Great Midwest matchup. The Storm put forth a determined effort but ultimately fell to the Cavaliers in a tough 86-64 battle. Though the final score may suggest a one-sided contest, the Storm displayed impressive resilience, teamwork, and moments of brilliance that kept them in the fight for much of the game. Their energy and determination were evident as they responded to adversity and showcased their ability to compete at a high level.

Game Recap
 

From the opening tip-off, the Walsh Cavaliers came out aggressive, quickly establishing their offensive rhythm ad putting the Storm on their heels early. The first quarter was a challenging one for Lake Erie, as Walsh capitalized on fast breaks and efficient shooting to build a 22-10 lead. Despite the early deficit, the Storm never lost focus and continued to push the tempo, searching for ways to respond.

In the second quarter, Lake Erie found its groove. The team tightened up defensively and executed their offense with more precision, leading to an impressive turnaround. They outscored Walsh 18-14 in the period, cutting into the lead and proving they were ready to battle. A combination of strong ball movement, aggressive drives to the basket, and crucial defensive stops allowed the Storm to gain confidence heading into halftime.

After the break, the game turned into a true back-and-forth contest. Both teams traded baskets throughout the third quarter, with neither side able to fully pull away. The Storm continued to apply pressure, executing well in transition and showing grit on the defensive end. Although Walsh edged them out in scoring 20-17, Lake Erie remained within striking distance, setting up what had the potential to be an exciting finish.

However, in the fourth quarter, Walsh turned up the intensity. The Cavaliers put together a dominant offensive surge, outscoring the Storm 30-19 in the final frame. Despite Lake Erie's continued efforts to fight back, Walsh's combination of efficient shooting, rebounding, and defensive execution allowed them to pull away and secure the victory.

While the final score may not have gone in their favor, the the Storm showed plenty of positive takeaways in their performance. Their ability to adjust and respond in the second quarter highlighted their resilience, and their competitiveness through three quarters proved they can go toe-to-toe with strong opponents. The effort, teamwork, and fight displayed by the Storm were commendable, and these qualities will serve them well as they finish their season.

The Storm were heavily lead by Lilee Carlson (23 pts) and Grace Lyon (21 pts). Both were extremely efficient with Carlson going 10-for-14 (71.4%) and Lyon shooting 9-of-16 (56.3%). Carlson would also contribute two blocks, two steals, and four assists while Lyon led the team with seven rebounds.

The Matchup

The Storm continue a rough streak against the Cavaliers, now falling for the 12th consecutive time. Walsh has continued to fall off in recent years and the Storm have continued to threaten to break that streak but will have to wait until next season to get the opportunity.

Lake Erie will be back in action on Saturday, February 22nd at home against the Tiffin Dragons. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m.