Late Wednesday afternoon KSU Tusc hosted unbeaten Lakeland Community College (8-0) in a first round game of the Golden Eagles Christmas Classic. The Golden Eagles (7-4) relied on a stiff defense and some late free throws to send the Lakers to their first loss of the season 71-67.
In the first 20 minutes the fans were treated to a tight game as the lead changed hands 12 times and was tied six times. At the 6:33 mark, the navy and gold finally gained a foothold and took an eight-point lead into the break.
Javier Ward was big during the stretch as he drew a Lakers big to him and looped a shot over the defenders outstretched arms for a 30-26 lead with 5:32 to go. Moments later, Mekhi Johnson broke free in the lane and a wildly spinning Ward found him on a pass for a bucket and Kyle Shockley canned a three-ball from the left pocket with 4:01 left for a 35-29 lead.
The half ended on a basket interference call on LCC as Ward broke free on an outlet pass to close out the first half scoring with the Eagles leading 40-32. They forced 16 Laker first half turnovers.
At the outset of final period, KSU Tusc took command and held Lakeland to two baskets while leaping out to a 49-36 advantage. Over a period of nearly eight minutes, LCC sliced the lead to just five points by outscoring the Eagles 18-10 while still trailing 59-54. The complexion of the game changed drastically at that point as the Eagles hit an icy patch at the free throw line.
They managed to stay afloat---although barely---converting on just 7/14 charity tosses over an eight-minute period. Meanwhile, the Lakers buried three triples, the last coming with the clock showing 2:38 as they made it all the way back to 66-65. A Laker bucket with 1:34 left allowed them to take a short-lived 67-66 lead---their first since a 19-18 lead with 9:38 left in the opening half.
Johnson reversed the game's course sinking a pair of free throws to thrust KSU Tusc back into the lead at 68-67 with only :49.9 remaining in the game. And then it was Lakeland's turn to play the early role of Kris Kringle.
The Lakers missed a wide open layup and as the ball bounced free in the lane it was picked up by the Eagles. The visitors ripped it away, but an errant pass went out of bounds as they tried to kick the ball out for an open shot from behind the arc with :34.3 ticks left.
Kyle Shockley was immediately fouled as the Eagles tried to run some clock. He calmly toed the line sinking two free throws for a 70-67 lead at the :29.6 mark. A KSU double-team caused another Laker miscue and Kameron Shockley raced downcourt eschewing a drive to the hoop in traffic baiting the Lakers into a foul with :10.4 showing.
Shockley made the front end of a double bonus for a nearly out of reach 71-67 lead before a Lakeland timeout. Out of the brief respite, the Lakers burst into the front court, but a pass to an open player cutting back door to the basket was knocked off its mark and out of bounds by Johnson. A desperation three from the corner with :4.4 seconds left hit the side of the back board and bounded to the Eagles who ran out the clock for an impressive win despite going 12/20 at line over the last eight minutes of the game. They redeemed themselves at the stripe by making 5/6 chances over the last :49.9.
Kameron Shockley recorded a triple-double for the Golden Eagles with 11 points, 11 rebounds and 10 blocked shots. Kyle Shockley scored 23 points on 5/12 shooting from the floor, Johnson had 11 and Ward 10. Vinny Roper prepared for Christmas break by being the Grinch with seven steals.
Thursday the Golden Eagles (8-4) will play against the Community College of Allegheny County at 2 pm. The Wildcats lost a thriller in overtime to Bryant & Stratton Buffalo by a score of 78-75 in the early game.
Kyle Shockley banks two of his team leading 23 points home, while Kameron Shockley is all tied up by a Laker but still managed to record a triple double.
Javier Ward is stopped this time, but scored 10 points in the win over LCC.
(Photos by Lindsey Nicholson)