Dayton, OH –  Sinclair Men’s team came into today’s conference game with the message, “they win-they host”.  Sinclair entered the day in a three-way tie for the third seed with Lakeland and Columbus State, the winner securing a home game on Tuesday in the first round of the NJCAA – Region XII Tournament.

The Tartan Pride would build a 33-29 lead going into halftime. But that didn’t last long!  The Pride could not keep the Lakers off the offensive glass as Lakeland raced out to a 43-50 lead at the mid way mark of the second half.  But that lead was quickly erased by a Tartan Pride run of 20-9.

Down the stretch, the Pride defense took center stage as Sinclair held the dangerous three point shooters of Lakeland to only 14% in the second and half and 8% for the game. Though Sinclair was only 5 of 10 from the free throw line, it was enough to escape with the important win, 74-66.

Darrien Wilkins (6-5/Cincinnati Princeton H.S.) had a game high 23 points and 7 rebounds while playing over 37 minutes. Deante Johnson (6-8/Cincinnati Sycamore) and Jonathan Bibbs (6-4/Dayton Chaminade Julienne) both added 11 respectively. Coming off the bench to hit two late game 3 pointers, Drake Coleman (5-10/Jeffersonville H.S. IN) added 10 points on 2-2 from the 3 point line.

The Tartan Pride complete their season win another 20 win regular season as they move to 20-8 and now are in a two way tie for third place in the OCCAC at 7-5. Sinclair will wait the results from this evening’s game but will host a first round game at home on Tuesday night, March 1.

Game time is 7:30 PM in Sinclair's Physical Activities Center located in Building 8 on the main campus.