Cold Shooting Brings Unfortunate End to Tournament for Lakeland
Jan. 15, 2004

Not even the free throw line came so free in the Lakeland College Men's Basketball 48-56 loss to DePauw University (IN) in the fifth place game of the Clarke College Holiday Tournament on December 30.

When the Muskies jumped out early, 15-4, it seemed as if they were well on their way to winning. However, frigid shooting allowed DePauw to storm back to take a 28-20 lead entering the half.

In the period, the Muskies shot just 29.6% from the field and missed their only two free throws of the first half.

DePauw's run continued into the second half where their lead expanded to as many as 14 points. This time it was the Muskies who came back to cut the lead to three with three minutes left to play, but that was as close as they would get.

Cory Nickel was the only Muskie player to score in double digits with 21, while Jon Owens and Derek Lawrence led the Tigers with 15 and 14 points, respectively.

Although the Muskies retrieved 16 offensive boards, they were only unable to sink nine second chance points.

The loss dropped the Muskies to 5-8 overall and gave them a sixth place finish in the tournament.