Lamar State's season ends with 66-63 loss to Cape Fear (NC) Community College

[LamarStatesports]

The 2010-11 season finally ended Friday for the Lamar State College-Port Arthur men's basketball team as they lost a heartbreaker to Cape Fear (NC) Community College, 66-63, in the consolation bracket of the NJCAA Division I Tournament.

Lamar State head coach Matt Cross said the game was typical of the Seahawks' season – a hard-fought, tight contest that could have gone either way at the end.

Sophomore guard Vonn Jones led the Seahawks with 17 points and had six assists. Sophomore guard Keenen Coleman closed out his junior college career with a double-double, 12 points and 11 rebounds. Sophomore forward Roman Vaughn added 16 points.

But in the end, it wasn't enough.

LSC-PA head coach Matt Cross said, “We've been in situations like this many times this season and won. We've been a team known for comebacks. But today wasn't our day.”

The loss was tough, but Cross said his team still had a very impressive season.

“I couldn't be more proud of these guys,” he said. “They made some special accomplishments this year. Very few people thought we would win our conference championship and even be here at the national tournament. Only the best teams make it here, and we were one of those teams.”

Cape Fear head coach Ryan Mantlo said the teams at this year's tournament were very equal.

“There are so many good player. None of the 16 teams had much separation,” Mantlo said. “Lamar State's zone gave us a lot of trouble, and we were able to hold on at the end.”

Lamar State broke on top 13-6 in a slow starting first half, but then allowed Cape Fear to go on a 15-2 run to lead 21-15 with seven minutes remaining.

The Sea Devils led by eight, 34-26, at the 2:00 mark. The Seahawks cut that to 34-29 at the break.

The second half offered more of the same. Cape Fear pulled away by eight, 44-36, in the first five minutes. Lamar State pulled back to a one-point deficit by the mid-point of the period, 51-50, and tied the game at 56-56 on two Vonn Jones free throws.

The final minutes were nail-biting time for both teams. Sophomore center Gordon Ball got a layup, was fouled and made a free throw to put the Seahawks up 63-60 with 3:02 left.

Cape Fear made to free throws to lead 66-63 with 14.9 on the clock. Lamar State took the ball out in their front court, but committed a turnover. The Sea Devils returned the favor with a turnover of their own on their in-bounds play.

The Seahawks had a final opportunity to score, but couldn't get a good shot before time expired and their season ended.