Lakers Comeback to Defeat Monroe 87-82
CANANDAIGUA -- Kievonn Banks made a corner three pointer with 53 seconds remaining to give Finger Lakes the lead on their way to an 87-82 victory over Division II Monroe Community College on Tuesday on Putt Moore Court.
Finger Lakes trailed by as many as 16 in the second half, but climbed all the way back, outscoring Monroe 49-33 in the half.
The first half with both teams trading baskets in front of a packed crowd at Putt Moore Court. Finger Lakes took a 10-9 lead five minutes in following a Junior Sims layup, however that would be their last lead of the half. Monroe took control of the half, stretching their lead to as many as 15. The Tribunes held a 49-38 lead at halftime.
Brandon Bullock led Finger Lakes at the half with 12 points. Sims added 10 in his first game as a Laker. Finger Lakes was able to capitalize on Tribune errors in the first, scoring 13 points off of 11 turnovers.
Monroe hit three-pointer at the 15:29 mark of the second half to grow its lead to 16 points. Head Coach Richard Jones would take a timeout and the Lakers would begin their comeback. Off the timeout, Dylan Verkey hit a three pointer and the comeback was started. Brandon Bullock converted a steal into a layup to trim the margin to 10 points with 12 minutes remaining. Rahiem Robinson hit a jumper off of an inbounds play and Torry Wright had a tip in a minute later to make it a four point margin at 72-68 with 8:36 left to play.
Monroe was able to get the lead back to six points and answer the Lakers basket for basket. Robinson would hit another jumper at 3:54 to make it 77-76 Tribunes. Thirty seconds later, Torrey Wright made a pair of free throws to give Finger Lakes a 78-77 lead, its first lead since the 14:38 mark of the first half. Following a Tribunes basket and another pair of Wright free throws, the freshman from Rochester would bring the crowd to their feet with a put-back jam. Off of a Robinson missed layup, Torry Wright would cut through the lane for the dunk and an 82-79 lead with 1:23 left to play. Anthony Hemingway would answer for Monroe and quiet the crowd. He hit a three to tie the game up. It was his final points of a 21 point, game-high effort. Not to be outdone, Junior Sims found Kievonn Banks in the right corner for a go-ahead three with 53 seconds remaining. That would be the difference for the Lakers. A pair of free throws by Verkey would ice the game and the 87-82 win for Finger Lakes over Monroe.
Brandon Bullock led the Lakers in scoring with 19 points and had five assists. Junior Sims had 16 and Kievonn Banks added 13 in their collegiate debuts. Dylan Verkey scored 13 points and had three blocks for Finger Lakes. Torry Wright scored all nine of his points in the final nine minutes of the game to help the Lakers comeback and earn the win.
The Lakers will take their first road trip of the season this weekend as they open Region III play. Saturday they will travel to Columbia-Greene CC and Sunday they will face SUNY-Delhi. Saturday's matchup with the Twins is set for 3pm, while Sunday's game will start at 1pm.
