Cullen Maksimowski, LSSULakers.com
Updated NCAA Division II Brackets:
Postgame Press Conference:
BIG RAPIDS, Mich.—The Lake Superior State men's basketball team advanced to the NCAA Midwest Regional Semifinals Saturday evening with an 81-67 triumph over Hillsdale in its quarterfinal matchup.
With the win, the Lakers set themselves up for a rematch of last week's Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title game as they are slated to take on host Ferris State tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. inside Wink Arena.
"Obviously we're very happy, at this point in the season, to be advancing," said Lake Superior State coach Steve Hettinga. "I thought we beat a really good team tonight. I've always had a ton of respect for coach Tharp and his program and we knew it was going to be a tough game."
Junior guard Carson Manger led the Lakers scoring attack with 17 points of the bench. Manger finished the game shooting 5-of-7 from the field and was a perfect 3-of-3 from behind the arc.
Akaemji Williams and Malek Adams each tallied 16 points in the win. Williams also led the team with eight assists and five steals.
Stedman Lowry and Nick Czarnowski led the Hillsdale offense each posting 16 points. Gordon Beher finished with 13.
For the game, the Lakers shot 50.8 (31-of-61) from the field and 33.3 (6-of-18) from three-point distance. The Chargers 53.8 and 25 percent.
Lake State held the advantage in the rebounding column, 28-24, and forced 11 Hillsdale turnovers while committing just five.
Ticket for tomorrow's semifinal tilt with the Bulldogs can be purchased at starticket.com or at FSU's Ewegliben Sports Complex Ticket Office. The game will also be streaming live on Stretch TV and can be heard on ESPN 1400.