Butler Pioneers Pull Away From Commodores; 102-91

February 4, 2023 - - The Lorain County Community College men's basketball team nearly pushed the NJCAA DIII No. 13 Butler County Community College Pioneers to the brink but topped out with about three minutes left to play in the game, losing on the road 102-91.

At about the 12 minute mark in the second half, Brandon Fisher (Strongsville, Ohio/Columbia HS) found Austin Copen (Amherst, Ohio/Firelands HS) for a corner three that pulled LCCC within one possession of the Pioneers but that would be as close as they would get. 

Fisher started off the game hot for the Commodores.  The freshman buried his first three 3-point attempts to give the Commodores an early 9-2 lead.  Butler responded by going on a 13-6 run to tie the game at 15 and they controlled the first half from there as LCCC had a tough time against the pesky Pioneers. 

Butler managed to turn many second chances into points with superb offensive rebounding and kept the Commodores from getting to the free throw line (7-for-11) for most of the contest. Quante May (Cleveland, Ohio/Horizon Science Academy) had the teams only free throw attempt in the first half and the Commodores went into halftime trailing by three, 48-45.

Fisher would go on to finish with 19 points, going 5-for-10 from three point land with four rebounds and two assists. Jayden Roberts (Wellington, Ohio/Wellington HS) also scored 19 points as well.  Bennett Sulen (Avon, Ohio/St. Edward HS) had a team-high eight rebounds.

Lem Payne (Philadelphia, Pa./Mount Pleasant HS) led LCCC in scoring with 21 points.  The sophomore also had five assists and three steals.

The Commodores return home to face the Cuyahoga Community College Triceratops in a return to Ohio Community College Athletic Conference play this Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.