KISSIMMEE, FLORIDA – The Patriots opened the Johnson University Florida Invitational with a match up against the #1 ranked and defending National Champion, Ohio Christian University. It was a great opportunity for the Patriots to play a proven opponent with a lot of experience in big games.
The Patriots came out with a lot of energy and looked ready to step up to the challenge.
Jean LeBlanc got the team off to a hot start, scoring 8 of the team's first 11 points in the opening five minutes. The Patriots led early on 11-8. However, Ohio Christian has the reigning NCCAA Player of the Year, Wesley Russell. Over the next couple of minutes Russell paced the Trailblazers with great passing and timely shooting. He led them on an 18-6 scoring run to put OCU ahead 26-17 with 5:30 remaining in the first half. Russell finished with 17 points at halftime, while teammate Evan Mills contributed 9 points. During the final 7:39 of the first half, the Patriots managed to score just 3 points. LeBlanc led the Patriots at halftime with 10 points, but they trailed 35-20 at the break.
At the 16:45 mark of the second half, the Trailblazers built a 17 point lead (42-25). However, after 3-pointers by
Joseph Taylor and
Jonathan Kinyanjui, and a steal and layup by Taylor, the Patriots pulled to within ten points with 15:15 remaining. However, the next 5 minutes saw the teams go back and forth, with OCU managing to build their biggest lead of the game at 18 with 10:51 to play. The Patriots weren't backing down though. After a layup from
Kevin Mack, 3-pointers from LeBlanc and
Brandon Rembert, a layup by
Tony Hazzard, and a steal and dunk from Taylor, the Patriots were back in it! They were down six (61-55) with 8:10 to play. The teams traded baskets over the next few minutes and the lead was down to five. However, Russell and Mills proved to be too much for the Patriots. They teamed up to score ten points over the final five minutes and OCU pulled away for the victory. The hard fought battle between these two teams finished with a final of 79-68.
Russell finished with 33 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists for OCU. Mills had a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Nic Baker knocked down three 3's for 9 points.
The Patriots were led in scoring by
Jean LeBlanc, who finished with 20 points. In his second game as a Patriot,
Brandon Rembert finished with 17 points and 6 rebounds.
Kevin Mack chipped in 9 points and led the team in assists (5) and steals (4).
Tony Hazzard had a game-high 4 blocks.
The team looks to rebound tomorrow night as they play Johnson University Florida in the second day of the tournament. The game will start at 8pm!
Watch the LIVE webcast at
http://new.livestream.com/JohnsonUniversityFlorida/events/3491550Go Patriots!
