By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information

Toledo, OH---Despite 26 points from Justin Edmonds (Albion/Albion, MI), the Owens Express men's basketball team lost a close game to Cincinnati State 65-62 in the SHAC today.

Cincinnati State started strong as they took an 11-3 lead with 15:58 remaining in the first half. However, strong play by Jordan Basinger (Kalida/Kalida, OH) off the bench helped Owens cut their deficit to three at 35-32 before halftime. Basinger finished the first half with 11 points and two steals on 4-for-4 shooting from the field and a 3-for-3 performance at the line.

Meanwhile, Anton Hutchins had a strong first half for Cincinnati State as he finished with 16.

Owens then started the second half off right when Taronta Cole (Gulfport/Gulfport, MS) made a steal and assisted on an alley-oop dunk to James Kelly (Pioneer/Ann Arbor, MI) to bring the Express within one. However, Cincinnati State then went on a 10-0 run to achieve their largest lead at 45-34 with 16:52 remaining in the game.

Back-to-back three pointers and a driving lay-in by Edmonds then cut the deficit to three before Cincinnati State called a timeout. The deficit then ballooned to eight with just under five minutes remaining before Edmonds hit two free throws and Kelly threw down back-to-back dunks - cutting the lead to just two.

After a jumper by Hutchins, Edmonds hit another three pointer to cut the lead to one. A lay-in by Karriem Baker and two free throws by Hutchins then gave Cincinnati State a five point lead before Edmonds hit a driving lay-up to cut the deficit to three with 17 seconds remaining. Following a missed free throw by Baker, Edmonds drove in for another layup to make it a one point game. However, before the Express could foul after the inbound pass, Charles Clarke dunked it home to essentially seal the game. Edmonds missed a three pointer and a heave at the buzzer to end the game.

Edmonds went 9-for-17 from the field overall, 6-for-13 from three point range and 2-for-2 from the foul line to finish with 26 points. Basinger ended up with 13 points, six rebounds, four steals and one assist, while Kelly had 12 points, three rebounds, three assists, three blocks and one steal. Jeff Burroughs (Belleville/Ypsilanti, MI) finished with five points, four rebounds and nine assists, while Jay Marquette (Central Catholic/Rossford, OH) had four steals.

Cincinnati State was led by 22 points, six rebounds and three assists from Hutchins. Baker added 16 points and nine rebounds, while Marquis Wilson had 12 points, three rebounds and three assists.

Owens shot 23-for-60 from the field overall, 7-for-27 from three point range and 9-for-10 from the foul line. Cincinnati State shot 27-for-56 from the field overall, 1-for-5 from three point range and 10-for-16 from the foul line. The Surge held a large advantage on the glass as they out-rebounded the Express 43 to 26, including a 14 to 9 advantage on the offensive glass. Owens had 11 more assists and turned the ball over six less times than Cincinnati State, but were outscored in the paint 38 to 28, in points off turnovers (12 to 10), second chance points (8 to 4) and bench points (24 to 19).

The Express (15-7, 2-2 OCCAC) will now take on No. 7 Lakeland Community College this coming Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in Kirtland, OH. Cincinnati State moves to 13-4 overall and 2-1 in the OCCAC.