By: Roy Valmores

CLC's Lancers lost Tuesday to Milwaukee Area Technical College 67 to 83 in a game that, had there been another 10 minutes, might have had a different outcome.

Heading into the match the Lancers were determined to slow an offense that averaged 97 points in their last two games.

"We got to get back on transition, get up on shooters, keep the ball out of paint, including the post, and don't give them second shots and easy baskets," Head Coach Chuck Ramsey said.

In the first few minutes of the game, it appeared that CLC's defense could keep tabs on the high-powered offense. That is, until the Stormers began to find a rhythm. It was then that the Stormers got off to fast start, outshooting CLC 44 to 30 in the first half.

In a match where defense was key for CLC, the Stormers were able to hold the Lancers in the first half to only 29 percent from the field and 16 percent from behind the three-point line.

Such defense held even the Lancers' key player, Guard Jordan Taylor, to only 7 points going into the half.

While it seemed as if the game was to end tragically for the Lancers due to the early 20-point deficit, a series of fouls allowed the Lancers to regain some ground.

Two of these included fouls on Taylor, who was in the motion of a three-point shot, resulting in a solid five of six from the free throw line.

While the aggressiveness of the Stormers resulted in a number of fouls, it also led to them beating out CLC on the offensive glass 12 to 6 in the first half.

Going into halftime, Coach Ramsey emphasized a more aggressive approach in order to retake the game in the second half.

"They were taking the ball to the basket, pressuring the ball on the offensive glass, and they were the aggressors," Ramsey said. "We've got to be more aggressive."

It appeared as if the Lancers responded to their coach's halftime advice, as they came into the second half much stronger than they did in the first.

Using a smaller and quicker lineup that included Guards Taylor, Will Adams and Jon Lewis, the Lancers were able to surge back into the game, bringing the game within 14 points.

This faster and more aggressive approach led to more drives into the paint, resulting in more fouls and shots at the free-throw line.

Lewis, who only scored two points in the first half, turned it on in the second with 12 points and an 86% average from the line.

Taylor also came out more aggressive, knocking down a key three-pointer and shooting 3 of 4 from the free-throw. Taylor ended the game as the high-point man for CLC with 17 points.

"I was just trying to be the energy guy for the team and be aggressive," Taylor said.

Despite a strong comeback attempt by the Lancers, it was too little, too late.