SHU Men's Hoops Wins Maple City Classic; Lemm Named MVP

ADRIAN, Mich. -- Maple City Classic MVP Chris Lemm (Clinton Township, Mich./Chippewa Valley) scored 15 points, leading the Siena Heights men's basketball team to a 63-58 victory over Lourdes (Ohio) in the tournament championship game at the SHU Fieldhouse on Saturday.

Cecil Clark (Ferndale, Mich./Ferndale), who was also named to the All-Tournament Team, and Nick Kosovich (Shelby Township, Mich./Romeo) added 13 points apiece for the Saints while Paul Elliott Jr. (Taylor, Mich./Consortium Prep) put in 10 points and Vince Schantz (Wyandotte, Mich./Allen Park Cabrini) grabbed 14 rebounds.

For the second straight contest, SHU (3-1) battled back from a halftime deficit. The Saints trailed, 26-24, at the break and then 30-24 early in the second half before going on a 10-point run. Clark led the way with seven points during the streak.

The 10-0 outburst was the beginning of a stretch in which Siena Heights outscored the Gray Wolves, 26-10, aiding the Saints to a 50-40 advantage with 6:28 left.

Led by John Willhite's five points, Lourdes (3-3) scored seven straight itself and trimmed its deficit to 54-53.

Lemm then buried a trey with 36 seconds left and the Saints held the lead up with a 7 of 8 performance from the free throw line during the final 19 seconds.

Willhite led the Lourdes effort with 17 points while Corey Harvey contributed 11 points and nine rebounds. John Washington had 14 points.

In Saturday's consolation game, Marygrove defeated Point Park (Pa.), 102-95. Omar Thomas led the Mustangs with 38 points while T.J. Heatherington and Jimmy Taylor put in 32 and 28 points, respectively.

Lemm and Clark were joined on the All-Maple City Classic Team by Willhite, Washington, Taylor and Thomas.

SHU's next game will take place on Tuesday when Spring Arbor visits for an 8 p.m. non-conference tip-off.