The Hocking College Men’s Basketball Team (10-19) won a close game against Bryant & Stratton (OH) (2-21) at home by a score of 87-85 on Saturday, February 23.
Hocking College was led by sophomore Jose Deleon, the game’s leading scorer with 27 points. Deleon shot just under 65% from the field going 11-of-17. He shot 5-of-8 from behind the arc and added four rebounds and one assist. Freshman Azende Johnson contributed a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
De’Sean Reed led the Bobcats with 26 points and LaQuan Taylor contributed 23 more. The Bobcats and the Hawks both shot 47% from the field and the game came down to the final possession.
The Hawks entered halftime trailing 46-44; however, the Hawks got off to a hot start in the second half. Throughout the game there were 16 lead changes, but with 17 minutes left the Hawks took the lead for good. They extended the lead to nine, 75-66, with 9:40 left to play on a three-point shot by Deleon.
Bryant & Stratton cut the lead down to 82-80 with 3:49 remaining. The Bobcats forced a turnover with 0:30 left, and had a shot to tie or win with a three. Reed drove the ball to the basket and sophomore Dalane Brown came up with the game-saving block. Brown also added 11 points and eight rebounds, including six off the offensive boards.
The Hawks next game was against Lorain County Community College on Sunday, February 24 at 6PM at Ohio Christian University in the NJCAA Region 12 semi-final.
