(PAINESVILLE, Ohio) – Five players scored in double-figures to help Walsh defeat Lake Erie 73-62 on the road at the Osborne Center on Saturday afternoon. The win helped the Cavaliers (11-11, 7-8) avenge an earlier season loss to the Storm (7-15, 5-11) and take a 1.5 game lead on Hillsdale for the eighth and final playoff spot in the GLIAC Tournament.

With the exception of the first few minutes of the first quarter, Walsh led for the duration of the game. Four consecutive free throws by Jalynn Graham broke a 7-7 tie midway through the opening frame to put the Cavs in front for good. By halftime, they were up 39-29.

The lead hovered around double-digits for the reminder of the game with the Maroon and Gold eventually pushing it out to a 19-point advantage after an Allison Butler 3-pointer mad the score 68-49 with 6:17 to go.

The Storm responded with the next seven points, but couldn't bring the deficit to single digits.

Walsh never lost any quarter as it outscored Lake Erie in every frame but the fourth where they both scored 17 points.

Graham finished with a team-best 14 points and was a rebounds shy of a double-double. Brittni Clopton did record a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Brooklyn Wooten totaled 13 points off the bench with six rebounds, five assists, and three steals.  Alex Hochstedler tallied 12 points, and Shelby Henkel rounded out the quintet with 11 points with seven rebounds to help the cause.

The Cavs controlled the glass by a 44-34 edge and used turnovers to their advantage with a 20-10 difference in points scored off of offensive miscues. Walsh also dominated the paint with 36 points inside compared to the 24 by Lake Erie. The Walsh bench also came up strong with 32 points compared to the Storm's 11.

Walsh will get an opportunity to increase its lead for a playoff bid this Thursday as it hosts Hillsdale to start a short two-game home-stand. Tip-off with the Chargers is set for 5:30 p.m.