By Patrick Gordon/Lakeland Sports Information
KIRTLAND, Ohio – Tournament MVP Marcus Fleming (Linden, N.J.) poured in a career-high 25 points, none bigger than his jumper with two seconds left to force overtime, as the nationally-ranked Lakeland Community College men's basketball team rallied past visiting Erie Community College to capture the 6th Annual TJ Memorial Classic championship on Saturday night.
Fleming spoiled the Kats' upset bid in the closing seconds with a floater from the top of the key to knot the game at 72 after the Lakers spent much of the second half playing from behind.
Lakeland outscored Erie 12-8 in overtime, with ten of those points coming from the free throw line. The Lakers improve to 5-0 with the win and will visit Mercyhurst North East on Tuesday night as they look to remain unbeaten.
Ahmid Williams (Monroe, N.J.) and Kenneth Evans (Cleveland, Ohio / Collinwood) were each named to the all-tournament team after combining to score 28 in the title game. Williams finished with 17 and connected on a trio of 3-pointers including one with less than two minutes to play to pull Lakeland within one (68-67). After a Brian Heckstall layup pushed Erie's lead to three, Maurion Johnson (East Cleveland, Ohio / Shaw) was fouled in the act of shooting and connected on his first attempt. He missed the second, but Evans fought to corral the crucial rebound with 15 seconds to go to set up Fleming's heroics.
Johnson chipped in 13 points and four blocks while freshman Rasheed Howard (Elizabeth, N.J.) added ten points and six boards in the win.
Opening Round
Erie CC defeats Malone University JV 113-65
Lakeland CC defeats Butler County CC 112-61
Consolation Game
Malone University JV defeats Butler County CC 97-54
Championship Game
Lakeland CC defeats Erie CC 84-80 (OT)
Tournament MVP
Marcus Fleming, Lakeland Community College
All-Tournament Team
Kyle Benjamin, Erie Community College
Seth Cook, Malone University
Kenneth Evans, Lakeland Community College
Stefano Osuji, Erie Community College
Cody West, Butler County Community College
Ahmid Williams, Lakeland Community College