Jan 21, 2009

Lakers lead the nation in fewest turnovers per game

SAULT STE. MARIE - The Lake Superior State men's basketball team hopes to maintain its status as the nation's best protector of the ball as it heads west to play Upper Peninsula rivals Northern Michigan and Michigan Tech this week.

The Lakers (10-5 overall, 7-3 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) lead the nation in fewest turnovers per game at 11.3 and are ranked fifth nationally in assist/turnover ratio (1.44). Their three-point field-goal percentage of .408 ranks second in the GLIAC and 11^th nationally.

Senior center Alyssa VanderWal of the LSSU women's basketball team is ranked 10^th nationally in average blocked shots per game (2.7). Her field-goal percentage of .650 would lead the nation, but at 4.28 field goals per game, she just misses the 5.0 field-goals-per-game minimum.

The LSSU men, who have won eight of their last nine games, take on NMU (9-6 overall, 4-6 GLIAC) at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Berry Events Center. The Lakers play MTU (9-6 overall, 6-4 GLIAC) at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Student Development Center Gymnasium.

Grand Valley, Michigan Tech and Ferris State are currently tied for second place in the GLIAC North Division. The Wildcats are hoping to snap a three-game losing skid. LSSU is playing the Huskies for the first time since winning back-to-back games in Houghton to secure a trip to the 2008 GLIAC semifinals. MTU, which has won three of its last four games, suffered an 83-69 loss at No. 1-ranked Findlay last weekend.

The LSSU women's team is 11-7 overall and 4-6 in the GLIAC heading into the U.P. swing. The Lakers play NMU at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday and 10^th-ranked MTU at 1 p.m. on Saturday. All four games will be broadcast live on WSOO 1230 AM. Live stats will be available on www.lssulakers.com/landing/index.

Michigan Tech (13-2 overall, 10-0 GLIAC) leads the GLIAC North Division, while Northern Michigan (9-6 overall, 4-6 GLIAC) is tied for third place with LSSU. The Wildcats have won three of their last four games, while the Huskies have won five straight, including a 54-52 victory over South Division contender Hillsdale, which is ranked seventh nationally. MTU also beat Northwood twice this season.

MTU leads the GLIAC in average points allowed (54.2), three-point field-goal percentage (.411) and assist/turnover ratio (1.5). LSSU leads the GLIAC in average rebounds per game (42.1), while MTU is the stingiest team when it comes to rebounds allowed (31.8).

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