The Hocking College men's basketball team led Lakeland Community College for 39 minutes and 51 seconds on Saturday in Kirtland, Ohio, only to see the host Lakers convert a three-point play with nine seconds remaining and steal a 80-79 win over the Hawks in a battle of the top teams in the OCCAC.

Both teams are now tied for first place in the OCCAC with 12-2 records and one week left in the regular season. The loss ended the Hawks 12-game winning streak and dropped their overall record to 19-6 while 17th ranked Lakeland improved to 21-3. Hocking had not lost since falling to then No. 1 ranked Parkland College 82-79 on December 17 at home.

The Hawks started fast and led by as many as 15 points in the first half, eventually settling for a 41-30 halftime lead. Hocking maintained the lead throughout the second half, and led by 8 with four minutes remaining, however, missed free throws and a couple of questionable foul calls late doomed the Hawks, who were so close to clinching the regular season championship and a No. 1 seed in the upcoming Great Lakes Region 12 Tournament in March.

Sophomore Allen Lattimore led the Hawks in double digits with a season-high 25 points, while fellow soph Travis Bullock came off of the bench to tally a career-best 14. Sophomore Jalen Woods and freshman Treshawn Cody each added nine points apiece. For Cody, it ended his streak of 13 straight double figures scoring games dating back to December.

Hocking returns to action on Wednesday February 28th with a conference game at Terra State. Tip time is set for 7:30pm ET.