Lakers Score 61 in Second-Half Comeback Victory
JOHNSTOWN, N.Y. - The Finger Lakes Community College Men's Basketball team traveled to Fulton-Montgomery Community College Sunday afternoon in a Region III matchup with the Raiders. The Lakers looking for a win did just that in stunning fashion, completing a comeback victory with a 99-90 final score.
The Lakers backs were against the wall in the first-half, entering the break with a 50-38 deficit. However, the Lakers battled back in the match, scoring 61 points in the second-half to propel them ahead of the Raiders for the win. In the second-half surge, the Lakers outscored the Raiders 61-40 to help secure the victory.
Lakers Freshman Guard Devon Payton (Rochester, N.Y./ Gates Chili) came up big for the Lakers, scoring 24 points on 9-14 shooting, while going 4-7 from beyond the arc and adding 2 assists in the process. Payton remained active on defense, pulling down 6 rebounds, while grabbing 3 steals and blocking 1 shot. Sophomore Jevonte Williams (Rochester, N.Y./ Rush Henrietta) added to the Lakers offensive attack with 17 points and 2 assists. On the defensive side of the ball, Williams also pulled down 3 rebounds and grabbed 1 steal.
Sophomore Ben Waterman (Savannah, N.Y.) shot an efficient 6-14 from the floor, while going 3-5 from beyond the arc for 15 points on the afternoon. Waterman also pulled down 2 offensive rebounds while dishing out 3 assists in the process. On defense, Waterman pulled down 5 rebounds and grabbed 1 steal to add to the Lakers defensive total. Freshman CJ James (Victor, N.Y./ Victor) complimented his teammate on the boards, with 4 offensive and 7 defensive rebounds. James also added 8 points on the night and 2 assists. James had active hands on defense, grabbing 3 steals, while also block 1 shot.
Freshman Evan Hauser (Westfield, N.Y./ Westfield) came up big as a 3-point threat for the Lakers. Hauser shot an efficent 4-7 from 3 for 12 points off the bench, while also getting a steal on defense. Freshman Jaisan Parker (Durham, S.C./ Bull City Prep) added 9 points off the bench while teammate Austin Franklin (Huntsville, A.L./ Prince George) added 10 points and 1 offensive rebound, while pulling down 6 defensive rebounds and 1 steal.
The Lakers fought through adversity to come away with a win, one they desperately needed after losing their last matchup to the Panthers of Tompkins Cortland Community College by 1 points, 72-71, on December 2nd. The Lakers are back home on December 8th, in a non-regional matchup with the Cardinals of St. John Fisher College JV in a 7 PM game where they look to build on their win.