Early Lead Not Enough As Lawrence Tech Overcomes And Edges Men’s Basketball, 69-63

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SOUTHFIELD, Mich. — After a solid showing last weekend in Kentucky, Marygrove men’s basketball entered Wednesday’s (Dec. 2) WHAC showdown with Lawrence Tech with plenty of optimism about their league slate ahead. The Mustangs shot out to a quick lead behind a gritty team effort, but it was the home Blue Devils that pushed ahead late in the first half and held on for a 69-63 victory in Southfield on Wednesday evening.

The Mustangs fall to 1-11 on the season and 1-6 in WHAC play after playing their third consecutive game without sophomore guard Ta’Kein Dixson (Atlanta, Ga./Loganville High School). The Blue Devils used the six-point win to improve to 2-8 overall and 2-3 in conference action.

Jumping ahead on a Sirafino Davis (Flint, Mich./Tiffin University) 20-foot jumper, the Mustangs held a 12-8 lead and the early momentum at the 12:58 mark of the first half. Davis’ jumper was his second of the opening half, sparking an 11-5 burst over the next four minutes as junior forward Elijah Ingram (Detroit, Mich./Consortium High School) connected on a three-pointer to give the Mustangs a 10-point lead – their biggest of the game – with 8:36 remaining on the first-half clock.

The 10-point lead would not last long.

First half action closed with a 23-8 run by the Blue Devils, highlighted by a buzzer-beating three by Jake Mullin as the hosts took a narrow 36-31 lead into the halftime break.

The second half was another display of highly-competitive basketball with the host Blue Devils holding off a late push by the Mustangs to win, 69-63. The Mustangs trailed by as many as 12 in the second half, cutting the lead to one possession on two occasions before the Blue Devils hung on to the narrow league victory.

Fouls and free throws were the difference in Wednesday’s conference showdown as the Blue Devils went to the line 23 times, converting on 15 tries, compared to the Mustangs 8-for-9 performance from the charity stripe. Seven more made free throws and 14 more attempts provided the Blue Devils with all they needed to hold off a hungry Mustangs team as both teams returned from a holiday break to WHAC action.

The Blue Devils’ Jon Harden led all scorers with 23 points on 8-of-16 shooting from the floor. Harden added four assists, four rebounds and three steals in 35 minutes to help fend off the Mustangs. Cameron Graves and Brad Watterworth added 12 points each for the Blue Devils.

Sophomore guard Tyler Sykes (Sterling Heights, Mich./Stevenson High School) paced a balanced Mustangs effort with 13 points on 6-of-12 shooting, followed by 11 points each out of Kenneth Miller (Flint, Mich./Grand Blanc High School) and Diante Taylor (Battle Creek, Mich./Central High School). Taylor added 10 rebounds for his third double-double of the campaign, falling one shy of the team lead held by Davis’ 11 boards.

Isaac Gillum (Milwaukee, Wis./Holy Redeemer High School) chimed in with eight points in limited action after fouling out as part of 25 total fouls whistled on the Mustangs.

The Mustangs have the weekend off before returning to action Saturday (Dec. 12) for a 4:30 p.m. exhibition at NCAA Division I Western Michigan University.

MEN’S BASKETBALL CONTACT: Tim Johnston | [email protected]/* */ | @tjohnston56
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