(PAINESVILLE, Ohio) - The Walsh men's basketball team made it a perfect weekend to start South Division play with a 70-67 win at Lake Erie College Saturday afternoon. The Cavaliers improve to 6-7 on the year with a 2-7 mark in GLIAC play. The Storm falls to 5-8 overall and 2-7 in the conference.

The game was close for the duration as neither team held a lead larger than eight points. That came when Rian Burrell (6-3, Jr., Zanesville, OH/HS) sank a 3-point shot at the 11:05 mark of the first half to make the score 17-9. Lake Erie remained competitive and scored the ned seven points to stay in the game. By halftime, the score was 30-27 in favor of the Cavaliers.

In the second half, the Storm made the first two baskets with a jumper by Jamil Dudley and a trey by Andy Bosley to regain the lead at 32-30. It was its first lead since Lake Erie scored the opening basket of the game.

Both teams exchanged leads four more times before Zac Carter (5-9, So., Ironton, OH/HS) put the Cavs up for good on a 3-pointer that made the score 52-50 with 7:34 to go in the game. It came in the middle of a 12-3 run that gave Walsh a much-needed momentum swing late in the game.

Walsh again led by eight after a free throw made the score 62-54 with just over three minutes to go, but the Storm rallied again and cut its deficit to a single possession after a Trey Howard layup put the score at 65-62 with 18 seconds left. However the Cavs made five of their final six free throws to secure the win.

Trey Fletcher (6-6, So., Ironton, OH/HS) had an impressive game off the bench with a game-high 24 points. He made 8-of-14 attempts from the field and pulled down seven rebounds. He was also dangerous on the outside as he made four 3-pointers.

Carter added 18 points and Burrell scored 12 to round out Walsh's double-figure scorers.

Lake Erie was led by Bosley and Howard's 14 points each.

Walsh returns to action in Columbus this Thursday as the Cavs travel to Ohio Dominican. Tip-off with the Panthers is set for 7:30 p.m.