PAINESVILLE, Ohio – Lake Erie built a 25-point cushion and then had to hold off the Yellow Jackets for a 90-82 G-MAC result at the Osborne Center.
The Storm needed only seven minutes into the second period to stretch a four-point halftime cushion out to a 60-35.
It was still a 25-point bulge with 10:45 left when Cedarville began to chip away.
The visitors got as close as 84-80 in the final minute, but LEC went 6-for-6 at the line to close it out.
Sam Johnson scored a game-high 23 points with seven rebounds for the Yellow Jackets, 9-10 overall and 4-7 G-MAC.
Anthony Ruffolo totaled 19 points,
Jaylen Davis had 13, and
Drew Blanton added a career-high 10.
Quotable: Head Coach Rob Jones
"I thought we defended really well in the first half and limited their offensive rebounding, which was a big emphasis for us. Unfortunately, we didn't capitalize on the offensive end, especially at the free throw line.
"We dug ourselves a hole early in the second half and it took us too long to respond. Once we did, I was really pleased with the fight and resolve we showed to battle back from a large deficit and trim it to a two-possession game. Ultimately, against a good team on the road, we needed to be better."
Stinger Notes:
- Davis pulled down a game-high eight rebounds.
- Ruffolo netted 18 of his 19 points after the intermission.
- Cedarville shot 58 percent (18-for-31) over the final 20 minutes.
- The Storm converted all 15 of their free throws in the second half and were 23-for-26 overall.
- It was Johnson's fourth 20-point game of the season.
- The Jackets lead the all-time series, 15-9, with the rematch February 26 at the Callan Athletic Center.
