Commodores Pull Away From D-II Sinclair CC in Final 11 Minutes, 81-70

Sophomore forwards Miles Meredith (pictured) and Deric Nichols (pictured below) led a 22-10 run in the final 11 minutes to lead Lorain County Community College to an 81-70 home-court victory over Sinclair Community College on Saturday afternoon, Feb. 17.

Nichols scored on a lay-up and a put-back in the final 2-1/2 minutes to secure the win at 81-68 with 1:42 remaining.  Nichols contributed 11 points on 5-of 7 shooting, five rebounds, an assist and a game-high four blocked shots.  Meredith collected a double-double of 13 points and a team-high 10 rebounds plus three blocks and a steal.  His seven points during the late run came in a five-minute span with his last free throw giving the Commodores a 75-66 lead with 3:25 left to play.

Sophomore guard Mike Rell -- the team's leading scorer -- topped the scoring column again for LCCC with 19 points on 8-of-13 shooting, plus six rebounds, a team-high four assists and a steal.  Sophomore guard Zach Swain added 14 points (on 5-of-8 shots), three boards, two assists and two steals.  Sophomore guard Kevin Kelley played a strong floor game and scored six points, added five boards, a game-high five assists and a steal.

Sinclair CC fought back from a 21-9 first-half deficit to tie the game at halftime, 42-42.  The Tartan Pride took a brief five-point lead, 49-44, with 16:41 to play on a basket by sophomore forward LiDonta Hicks-Gentry who led Sinclair with a double-double game-highs of 21 points and 19 rebounds.

The game was tied on three occasions and the lead changed hands eight times until the final 11 minutes when the Commodores prevailed.

Sinclair is now 14-14 overall and 4-10 in the OCCAC.  The Commodores -- ranked #9 in the NJCAA D-III this week -- up their record to 21-5 overall and 10-4 in the conference. 

The Commodores celebrated "Sophomore Night" with a pre-game ceremony honoring the team's seven sophomore student-athletes. 

LCCC will complete the regular season with two road games next week: Wed., Feb. 21 at Clark State and Sat., Feb. 24 at Hocking College.