Defensive Struggles Prove Decisive in Home Opener

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. - The Lakers men's basketball team dropped to 0-2 on the season after a home opening loss to St. John Fisher University on the Putt Moore Court. The Lakers defensive struggles proved decisive in the matchup, suffering a 4-point, 86-82 loss.

Strong 3-point shooting from the Cardinals thwarted many of the Lakers comeback opportunities. The Lakers would lead 82-81 with 52 seconds remaining on the clock, but the Cardinals would pull away with key free throws to ice the game in the closing seconds.

For the Lakers, the team shot 37% from three, fueled by teammates Alex Hill (Rochester, N.Y./ Fairport) and Paxton Creek (Kalgoorie, Australia/ Eastern Goldfields). Hill would drain six 3-pointers and finish with 20 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal. Creek would finish with 9 points, all coming off from the 3-point to go along with 1 rebound and a block.

Freshman guard Bruce Wilder Jr. (Rochester, N.Y./ Fairport) showed out in front of the home crowd, finish the game with a double-double. Wilder would drop 20 points and 13 rebounds, while snagging a steal in the proccess. Guards Danny Amador (Naples, F.L./ Palmetto Ridge) and Pacey Hopkins (Avoca, N.Y./ Avoca) each saw 27 minutes on the floor, adding 7 and 4 points respectively. Amador would highlight the defensive play for the Lakers, snagging 4 steals in the 1st-half, while pulling in 3 rebounds, dishing out 2 assists, and blocking a shot. Hopkins would add 2 rebounds, a rebound, and a steal to his tally on the night.

Starter Michael Morgan (Rochester, N.Y./ Edison Tech) would finish the day with 3 points, 1 assist, and 2 steals. Freshman DaVaughn Forte (Alexandria, V.A./ T.C. Williams) played a strong game, adding 12 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and a block against the Cardinals. Also for the Lakers, Arona Mane (Bronx, N.Y./ William Grady) would play significant minutes off the bench for the Lakers before fouling out. Mane would end the night with 7 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 steal. Mane would shoot an efficent 50% from the field, coming in second behind Alex Hill's 70% mark.

The Lakers will hit the road on Thursday, November 10th in a NJCAA Region III matchup with the Cayuga Community College Spartans, tipping off at 7 PM before returning home this Saturday, November 12th against the Onondaga Community College Lazers at 2 PM.