JACKSON, Tenn. – The Lane College Dragons emerged victorious over rival LeMoyne-Owen College inside JF Lane Gymnasium Saturday afternoon.
Lane’s Efficient Scoring Propels Them to Victory
In a dominant offensive showing, the Lane College men’s team cruised to a 95-73 victory over LeMoyne-Owen.
From the opening tip, Lane’s offense was firing on all cylinders, shooting a blistering 58.8% (20-34) in the first half and finishing the game at 57.4% (35-61). The dominant shooting performance, especially from beyond the arc (11-14, 78.6%), gave Lane an insurmountable lead. With their efficient offense, they never trailed in the game and led by as many as 26 points at one point.
Lane’s first-half surge saw them put up 48 points, led by the dynamic scoring duo of Christopher Matthews and Elijah Greer Dawson. Matthews was perfect in the first half, going 6-of-6 from the field, including 3-of-3 from three-point range, finishing with 24 points in just 27 minutes of action. Greer Dawson added 22 points, 6 assists, and 4 rebounds, as Lane dominated offensively and was able to stretch their lead to 48-33 by halftime.
Lane’s scoring came from all angles. In addition to Matthews and Greer Dawson, Martice Mitchell (11 points) and Braylin Sanjurjo (11 points) also contributed double figures. Lane’s bench also played a key role, with Rico Sain II scoring 22 points and hitting 4-of-5 from three-point range. Their fast-break offense was exceptional, outscoring LeMoyne-Owen 39-5 in transition, and they capitalized on 34 points off turnovers. Despite LeMoyne-Owen’s efforts, Lane’s superior shooting, ball movement, and ability to exploit turnovers kept them in control throughout.
Top Performers:
- Christopher Matthews (Lane) – Matthews was spectacular in this one, finishing with a perfect 9-of-9 shooting performance, including 6-of-6 from three-point range. His 24 points led all scorers, and he played a key role in Lane’s fast start and eventual victory.
- Elijah Greer Dawson (Lane) – Greer Dawson contributed 22 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists in 33 minutes of play. He also added 5 steals, helping to create opportunities for Lane in transition. His leadership and playmaking were vital to the team’s success.
- Rico Sain II (Lane) – Sain provided a big boost off the bench, scoring 22 points on 9-of-13 shooting, including 4-of-5 from deep. His efficient shooting kept Lane’s offense humming, and he played a key role in the team’s second-half execution.
- Martice Mitchell (Lane) – Mitchell contributed 11 points and 8 rebounds, playing a key role in both the scoring and rebounding efforts. His all-around performance helped Lane dominate in the paint and on the glass.
Slow Start, Strong Finish for Lane Women’s Team
It was a back-and-forth contest throughout, with both teams struggling to find rhythm early. LeMoyne-Owen dominated the first quarter, limiting Lane to just 9 points and taking a 14-9 lead. However, Lane bounced back in the second quarter, finding their stride with a more efficient offense. Despite a rough shooting performance in the first half (4-17 from the field in the opening quarter), Lane’s defense and rebounding kept them in the game. They managed to outscore LeMoyne-Owen 21-12 in the second period, taking a 30-26 lead at halftime.
Lane’s defense held LeMoyne-Owen to just 37.5% shooting for the game, and they forced 23 turnovers, which led to 13 points off turnovers for the Dragons.
Lane’s offense found more balance in the second half. After a third quarter where both teams exchanged baskets (16-15 in favor of Lane), the Dragons began to pull away in the final period, outscoring LeMoyne-Owen 18-15. Breonna Carey led the way for Lane, contributing 14 points and 4 rebounds, while also adding 2 steals. Her performance, alongside strong contributions from Chantoryia Rivers (13 points, 3 rebounds), helped Lane maintain a steady lead in the fourth quarter.
Top Performers:
- Breonna Carey (Lane) – Carey played a key role in Lane’s win, contributing 14 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals in 23 minutes of action. She was efficient, shooting 5-of-15 from the field and 1-of-3 from beyond the arc.
- Chantoryia Rivers (Lane) – Rivers was another major contributor for Lane, finishing with 13 points and 3 rebounds.
- Dyani Bernstine (Lane) – Bernstine provided a solid performance off the bench, scoring 9 points while adding 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals. Her versatility and ability to impact the game in multiple ways were crucial in Lane’s second-half surge.
- Europe Brown (Lane) – Brown made the most of her 24 minutes on the floor, finishing with 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting, including a perfect 2-of-2 from three-point range. Her shooting efficiency and scoring off the bench were a big boost for the Dragons.
