On Wednesday evening, Keonte Jenkins and the Central Lakes College Raiders served notice to the rest of the Northern Division that the path to a division title will have to come through them.
Jenkins scored a game high 32 points, and the Raiders played spectacular defense, limiting Northland to 36-percent shooting in a runaway 92-68 win for the Raiders.
The two teams entered Wednesday's game tied at 5-1 in division play, and CLC was riding a four-game win streak while the Pioneers had won their last three.
With Northland leading by four points in the first half, CLC went on a 14-0 run, punctuated by a breakaway dunk from Thomas Kornbaum to build a 31-21 lead, and they never looked back as the built a 51-32 halftime lead.
Lamontrell Fuller added 17 points as the Raiders shot at a 54-percent clip from the field. They also won the rebounding battle and forced 19 Pioneer turnovers.
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"This team is just getting better," said head coach Jim Russell. "I just told them that to me it is so much fun to know that you guys can put your heart into it and be coachable. Northland is a good team, but we just shared the ball so well. We lead the league in assists, and that just gives everyone a chance to play."
CLC will begin the second half with a key game at Vermilion on Saturday. The Ironmen are currently sitting in third place with a 4-2 record. With a win, the Raiders would sweep the season series.
Northland 32 36-68
Central Lakes 51 41-92
NORTHLAND
Deshon Brown 4, Isaiah Moody 6, T.J. Gill 3, Ju'Wan Evans 14, Damian Francis 4, Brandon Murat 3, Emmanuel McCullough 9, Jesse Dokes 2, Chedonio Martin 6, Jake Joppru 17. FG 22-62 (36 percent), FT 15-18 (83 percent). 3-point 9-22 (41 percent).
CENTRAL LAKES
Shawn McGee 5, Keonte' Jenkins 32, Jacob Russell 2, TrayVon Lackey 7, Toby Flannigan 3, Darrelle Bacon 3, Thomas Kornbaum 11, Timothy Boyd 12, Lamontrell Fuller 17. FG 33-61 (54 percent), FT 17-25 (68 percent). 3-point 9-26 (35 percent). Division: 6-1. Overall: 14-5. Next: at Vermilion 3 p.m. Saturday.
