By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information
Toledo, OH---James Kelly and Justin Edmonds combined for 63 points, while both players reached school records, as the Express men upset No. 21 Lakeland 92-84 in the SHAC tonight.
Owens opened the game on fire, while Lakeland succumbed to the Express defense, as they started the game on a 16-0 run. The Lakers didn't score their first point until the 14:13 mark of the first half. The largest Express lead was at 18-1 with 14:03 remaining.
Lakeland then started to cut their deficit as they pulled to within three at the 9:04 mark. The Express responded and pushed their lead to 14 with just over two minutes remaining in the half. Owens would take a 47-37 lead into the break.
Lakeland opened the second half strong as they cut the Express lead to five with just over 17 minutes remaining before a lay-up and a dunk by Kelly would push it back to nine. After a Lakeland free throw, Kelly threw another one down to push the lead to 10 with 15:43 remaining. However, Lakeland went on a 12-2 run over the next 3:08 to tie the game at 59.
After a 61-all tie, Kelly hit a lay-up, Edmonds hit a jumper, Franklin Lindsey hit a lay-up, and Kelly hit a jumper to give the Express a 69-62 lead with 8:51 remaining. Once again, Lakeland came back - this time to take the lead - at 70-69 with 6:37 remaining.
Edmonds then came right back to hit a lay-up and give the Express the lead back - for good. The Express made their free throws down the stretch to seal the game.
Kelly had the best game of his stellar freshman year as he finished with 34 points and 21 rebounds (five offensive). The rebound total ties Eric Seaman's single game mark from Feb. 16, 1985. Additionally, it was Kelly's second 30 point game this season as he notched 31 on Nov. 29 against Grand Rapids. He finished 14-for-22 from the field and 6-for-8 from the foul line.
Edmonds totaled 29 points, eight assists, five rebounds and two steals. His assist mark is a season-high, breaking his old high of six against Grand Rapids on Dec. 16. He finished 9-for-13 from the field - including a 6-for-8 performance behind the arc, just one game after netting 32 points against Sinclair.
Edmonds broke the Express single-season record for most three-pointers attempted in a season tonight. With his 219th attempt, he broke the record held by Jon Powell (1998-99) and Jeff Massey (1991-92).
Lindsey and Jordan Basinger each added eight points, while Basinger added six rebounds. Jerron Jamerson, playing in his final regular season home game in the SHAC, contributed six points, six assists and three rebounds.
While Chaz Rollins led the team with 18 points, Lakeland was led overall by Brendan Cooper, who finished with 17 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists, three blocks and three steals. Richard Smith added 10 points and nine rebounds, while Martell Medley had 10 points off the bench.
The Express shot 34-for-69 overall from the field, 7-for-18 from three point range and 17-for-24 from the foul line. Lakeland finished 30-for-71 overall from the field, 5-for-15 from three point range and 19-for-33 from the foul line.
Thanks in large part to Kelly's effort, the Express out-rebounded the Lakers 49-37. Owens also produced more assists (23-16). Lakeland triumphed Owens in turnovers (14-22), blocks (5-3), steals (8-4), points off turnovers (23-19), second chance points (19-16) and bench points (23-14).
Lakeland couldn't overcome the biggest factor, however, as the freshman duo of Edmonds and Kelly was too much. Lakeland fell to 18-7 (4-5 OCCAC), while the Express moved to 19-9 overall and 6-4 in the OCCAC.
With two regular season games remaining, the Express men are trying to accomplish their first 20 win season since 2006-07 when the team won 21 games. Also, the Express are now alone in fourth place in the OCCAC standings.
The Express will travel to Cincinnati State on Saturday for a 3 p.m. matchup.