PAINESVILLE, Ohio – The Thiel College men's basketball team lost a non-conference game on the road to NCAA Division II opponent Lake Erie Storm, 88-70, Sunday afternoon.

The Tomcats opened up a seven-point lead five minutes into the game. Thiel would go into halftime up 37-34.

Lake Erie would open the second half with a 22-7 run to get a 56-44 lead with 13:17 remaining in the second half to open a sizable lead.

Thiel was led by Elijah Harden (Sharon, Pa./Kennedy Catholic) who notched a game-high 28 points to go along with eight rebounds and an assist. Harden shot 50 percent (5-10) from three-point range. Ethan Barnes (Boynton Beach, Fla./Suncoast) and Jonah Biggers (Baltimore, Md./Calvert Hall) each recorded 12 points apiece, while Biggers grabbed eight boards. Barnes tallied three assists.

Lake Erie was led by CJ Hornbeak and Jacob Plantz who both recorded 19 points apiece. Jonny Manning recorded 18 points and seven boards.

The Tomcats will return to Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) play on Wednesday when they host the Allegheny Gators. The conference game is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.