Jan 14, 2009

Lakers and Timberwolves both have targets on their backs

SAULT STE. MARIE - All four teams playing Thursday in Bud Cooper Gymnasium have targets on their backs this season. It's a position that's relatively new to most of them.

The Lake Superior State women's basketball team plays host to Northwood at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, and the men's game will follow at 7:30 p.m. Both games will be broadcast live on WSOO 1230 AM with pay-per-view video available on the B2 Network.

The LSSU men (8-5 overall, 5-3 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) are currently tied for first place with Michigan Tech in the GLIAC North Division Standings, while Northwood (9-4 overall, 5-3 GLIAC) is tied for second place in the South Division.

Thanks to three transfers, the Timberwolves are much-improved since finishing 6-12 in the conference in 2007-08. Their GLIAC losses this season are to powerhouse Findlay, 78-71, and twice to Michigan Tech. Against the No. 1-ranked Oilers, they cut a 20-point deficit to two points with two minutes to go. That was the same day that LSSU knocked off 15^th-ranked Grand Valley State, 79-66.

After a 2-4 start, the LSSU men have won six of their last seven games. They are 2-1 during their current five-game homestand.

The LSSU women (10-6 overall, 3-5 GLIAC) are also off to a 2-1 start during the month of January and hope to rebound from Saturday's 80-68 loss to Grand Valley State. The Lakers will face an equally-tough test from Northwood (10-3 overall, 5-3 GLIAC), whose only losses are to Michigan Tech (twice) and Hillsdale - teams that have a combined league record of 15-1.

Thursday's women's game will be a matchup of the GLIAC's top scoring post duos. Lake Superior State's Jaclyn Armstrong (17.8 points per game, 6.2 rebounds per game) is the league's No. 2 scorer, while teammate Alyssa VanderWal (11.6 ppg, 8.1 rpg) is ranked first in field-goal percentage, fifth in rebounding and 18^th in scoring.

Armstrong and VanderWal must contend with Northwood's Megan Starnes (16.7 ppg, 8.6 rpg) and Jodi Ostergren (16.1 ppg, 6.3 rpg), who are ranked fourth and fifth in GLIAC scoring, respectively, and third and 12^th in rebounding.

LSSU wraps up its homestand Saturday with a GLIAC double-header against Wayne State. The women's game begins at 1 p.m., followed by the men's game at 3 p.m.

The WSU men (5-7 overall, 3-5 GLIAC) are taking a 1-4 road record to Saginaw Valley State on Thursday before heading to Sault Ste. Marie. The Warrior women (4-9 overall, 2-6 GLIAC) have league victories over Northern Michigan and Findlay to their credit, and are coming off a three-point loss to Hillsdale on Jan. 10.

Home \| Roster \| Schedule/Results \| Statistics \| News \| Coaches LSSU.edu \| Athletics Home

Cross Country Men's Golf Women's Tennis Women's Volleyball Ice Hockey Men's Basketball Track & Field Women's Basketball Men's Tennis Softball Track & Field Women's Golf Camps Staff Directory Athletic Training Facilities SAAC Tickets Traditions Prospective Athletes Student Athlete Handbook Boosters Women's Walk Forms	Jan 14, 2009 Lakers and Timberwolves both have targets on their backs SAULT STE. MARIE - All four teams playing Thursday in Bud Cooper Gymnasium have targets on their backs this season. It's a position that's relatively new to most of them. The Lake Superior State women's basketball team plays host to Northwood at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, and the men's game will follow at 7:30 p.m. Both games will be broadcast live on WSOO 1230 AM with pay-per-view video available on the B2 Network. The LSSU men (8-5 overall, 5-3 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) are currently tied for first place with Michigan Tech in the GLIAC North Division Standings, while Northwood (9-4 overall, 5-3 GLIAC) is tied for second place in the South Division. Thanks to three transfers, the Timberwolves are much-improved since finishing 6-12 in the conference in 2007-08. Their GLIAC losses this season are to powerhouse Findlay, 78-71, and twice to Michigan Tech. Against the No. 1-ranked Oilers, they cut a 20-point deficit to two points with two minutes to go. That was the same day that LSSU knocked off 15^th-ranked Grand Valley State, 79-66. After a 2-4 start, the LSSU men have won six of their last seven games. They are 2-1 during their current five-game homestand. The LSSU women (10-6 overall, 3-5 GLIAC) are also off to a 2-1 start during the month of January and hope to rebound from Saturday's 80-68 loss to Grand Valley State. The Lakers will face an equally-tough test from Northwood (10-3 overall, 5-3 GLIAC), whose only losses are to Michigan Tech (twice) and Hillsdale - teams that have a combined league record of 15-1. Thursday's women's game will be a matchup of the GLIAC's top scoring post duos. Lake Superior State's Jaclyn Armstrong (17.8 points per game, 6.2 rebounds per game) is the league's No. 2 scorer, while teammate Alyssa VanderWal (11.6 ppg, 8.1 rpg) is ranked first in field-goal percentage, fifth in rebounding and 18^th in scoring. Armstrong and VanderWal must contend with Northwood's Megan Starnes (16.7 ppg, 8.6 rpg) and Jodi Ostergren (16.1 ppg, 6.3 rpg), who are ranked fourth and fifth in GLIAC scoring, respectively, and third and 12^th in rebounding. LSSU wraps up its homestand Saturday with a GLIAC double-header against Wayne State. The women's game begins at 1 p.m., followed by the men's game at 3 p.m. The WSU men (5-7 overall, 3-5 GLIAC) are taking a 1-4 road record to Saginaw Valley State on Thursday before heading to Sault Ste. Marie. The Warrior women (4-9 overall, 2-6 GLIAC) have league victories over Northern Michigan and Findlay to their credit, and are coming off a three-point loss to Hillsdale on Jan. 10.