By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information

Toledo, OH---The Express men's basketball team suffered their first defeat in OCCAC play with a 76-63 loss to Cuyahoga Community College in the SHAC tonight.

Cuyahoga out-rebounded the Express 47 to 27 overall and 12 to 11 on the offensive glass. Additionally, they made 25 of 35 from the foul line compared to 8-for-15 for Owens. Cuyahoga's bench also outscored Owens 28 to 14.

Justin Edmonds (Albion/Albion, MI) led the Express in scoring with 16, while James Kelly (Pioneer/Ann Arbor, MI) had 13 points and six rebounds. Jordan Basinger (Kalida/Kalida, OH), Taronta Cole (Gulfport/Gulfport, MS) and Jay Marquette (Central Catholic/Rossford, OH) each had eight points, while Basinger led the team in rebounds with seven and steals with four.

Overall, Cuyahoga shot 25-for-47 from the field including 1-for-9 from three point range, while the Express shot 24-for-66 overall and 7-for-24 from three point range.

Jamil Brooks and David Goodwater led Cuyahoga in scoring with 20 apiece, while Darrell Robinson had 18 points. Robinson shot 10-for-10 from the foul line, while adding seven rebounds and four assists.

The Express had a six point lead with 16:32 remaining in the first half, but Cuyahoga led most of the half as the Challengers took a 34-25 into the half. Cuyahoga stretched the lead to 16 with 8:08 remaining in the second half before the Express made a run to take a 55-54 lead with 6:13 remaining. Cuyahoga, however, closed the game on a 22-9 run to get the victory.

The Express (15-6 overall, 2-1 OCCAC) will next play Saturday in the SHAC against Cincinnati State at 3 p.m.