VINCENNES, Ind. – Keith Clemons poured in a career-high 27 points to lead No. 6 Vincennes University to a 117-61 romp over District 16 foe Lake Land, inside the VU P.E. Complex Wednesday night.

Clemons scored 20 of his points in the first half, as the Trailblazers led 59-28.

The sophomore guard’s previous career high was 26 set two weeks ago against John A. Logan.

George Dixon added his second double-double of the season with 18 points and 12 rebounds in just under 22 minutes of play.

A third sophomore for the Trailblazers, Lony Francis, Jr. added 12 points – 10 coming in the first half.

“They are really good players who continue to work hard on their craft,” VU coach Todd Franklin said of his three sophomores. “Sometimes I feel sorry for them because they are not able to play as many minutes right now because of the way the games turn out, but that will change as we get deeper into the season. But they are handling it well and continue to play exceptional.”

Kevin Kangu and Jordan Lyons came off the bench to add 15 and 10 points, respectively, giving the Trailblazers five players in double figures for the game.

For as well as the offensive played, the Trailblazers defense may have been better.

The VU defense held the Lakers to 23 percent (15-for-64) shooting for the game. The ‘Blazers entered the game with the third-best defensive field goal percentage (33 percent), while holding opponents to an NJCAA Division I best, 52 points per game.

“That has been the bedrock of our program over the years,” Franklin said of his defense. “We defend, we rebound, we don’t turn the ball over and we take good shots. That’s been the formula for our program for many years.”

All 12 players for VU scored at least two points, as the Trailblazers shot 60 percent from the field, 44 of 74, for the game.

“For the most part, I thought everyone came in and did their job and played well,” Franklin said. “We still had a few too many turnovers for my liking, but we have another opportunity tomorrow (in practice) to continue to get better. That is our goal, is to improve every day to the max.”

VU (10-0, 2-0) plays host to Highland at 7 p.m. on Saturday.

Highland qualified for the NJCAA National Tournament last season, losing in the first round to eventual champion, South Plains.

“I hope everyone comes to watch this game,” Franklin stated. “They have two of the top 20 players in the country and it should be one of the best games in the country. They made it to Hutch (national tournament) last year. We are excited as it’s hard to go against someone better.”

###

LINK to VU Online Newsroom, click HERE

MARCIA MARTINEZ, University Life Reporter & Sports Information Director

812-888-4164 office, 314-599-1519 cell, VUNews@vinu.edu, mmartinez@vinu.edu

VINCENNES UNIVERSITY, Department of University Relations, www.vinu.edu/newsroom