By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information
Piqua, OH---James Kelly had 22 points, while Markese Allen added a season-high 14 points off the bench as the Express men's basketball team defeated Edison Community College 82-73 on the road tonight.
Edison only led at two points in the game - and both those times came in the game's opening minute. First, Eric Beckstedt's jumper put Edison up 2-0 on the game's opening possession before Nick Tingle gave Edison a 4-3 lead following a 3-pointer from Jay Marquette that had temporarily given the Express the lead.
After Tingle's shot, Kelly hit a jumper to give the Express a 5-4 lead. They wouldn't trail again in the game. The closest Edison got the rest of the way was one late in the first half, while the Express led by as many as 13 in the game.
Kelly, who had 16 points in the first half, shot 9-for-15 overall and 4-for-6 from the foul line. He added a team-high 14 rebounds, two blocks, three steals and one assist.
Allen, meanwhile, had most of his 14 points in the second half. He added a team-high four steals, two assists and one rebound. Tonight was his first double digit scoring game of his collegiate career.
Franklin Lindsey and Tony Boykins each added 11 points for the Express, who were without the services of Kelvin Clark tonight. Lindsey added six rebounds, two steals and one assist, while Boykins had five rebounds.
As a team, the Express finished 32-for-71 overall from the field, 3-for-21 from 3-point range and 15-for-22 from the foul line.
The Chargers were led by Jordan Taylor, who had a game-high 25 points while adding five rebounds, four assists and three steals. He finished 6-for-12 from 3-point range - including a couple deep contested ones in the second half.
Brandon Ervin added 17 points and 15 rebounds, while Kelly Kirtz had 16 points, seven rebounds, nine assists and two steals off the bench.
The Express improved to 15-7 overall and 4-1 in the OCCAC. They are now alone in second place behind Lakeland, who defeated the Express by three points recently.
The Express will next face Columbus State Community College at home in the SHAC on Saturday beginning at 3 p.m.
Notes
Kelly now has 963 career points. Additionally, he is now at 540 career rebounds, which is 57 short of tying the career record. His 87 career blocks are 13 away from breaking the record held by Rodney Hughes.
Tonight marked the 12th double-double of the season for Kelly.
