SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – Lake Superior State men's basketball squares off with a pair of Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference opponents in its first two home games of the season this week.
Lake Superior State (3-3, 1-1 GLIAC) plays Saginaw Valley State (2-5, 0-2 GLIAC) at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, before facing Northwood (4-4, 2-0 GLIAC) at 3 p.m. on Saturday at Bud Cooper Gymnasium.
Last Time on the Court
The Lakers went 1-1 last week as they played road games at No. 19 Ashland and Wayne State on Thursday and Saturday, respectively. The Lakers were edged by Ashland 82-68, before bouncing back to defeat Wayne State 89-65.
Adams' Big Day
In their 89-65 win at Wayne State on Saturday, junior guard Malek Adams scored a season-high 24 points. He shot 8-of-13 from the field and 4-of-6 from behind the three-point line. Adams has scored in double figures in all four games he has played this season.
GLIAC Play
Lake Superior State is 1-1 in GLIAC play this season and enters the week tied with Northern Michigan, Michigan Tech and Parkside for first in the North Division.
By the Numbers
Lake Superior State is averaging 81.2 points per game compared to 78.5 by the opposition. LSSU is shooting 49.6 percent from the field, including 41.7 percent from three-point range, while limiting opponents to 43.9 percent shooting and 37.3 percent from behind the three-point arc. The Lakers are averaging 8.8 made three-pointers and 7.2 steals per game. Adams (16.0 points per game), sophomore forward Rog Stein (13.5) and senior guard Tim Cairnduff (10.2) are all averaging in double figures in points this season.
GLIAC North Division Player of the Week
Stein was named the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Conference Men's Basketball North Division Player of the Week on Nov. 19 after helping the Lakers go 2-0 at the Seawolf Jamboree in Anchorage, Alaska on Nov. 16-17. The Seawolf Jamboree Most Valuable Player averaged 14.5 points per game on 44.4 percent shooting, while dishing out 3.0 assists per game, grabbing 10.0 rebounds per game and recording one double-double.
Head Coach Steve Hettinga's Preview
Scouting Saginaw Valley State
The Cardinals (2-5, 0-2 GLIAC) come to Bud Cooper Gymnasium having lost their two games, including a 67-59 loss to Northern Michigan at home on Thursday.
Saginaw Valley State is scoring 69.0 points per game while allowing 72.6 points per game. The Cardinals are shooting 43.5 percent on the season and 33.6 percent on three-point shots, while their opponents are shooting 42.8 percent, including 32.9 percent from behind the arc.
The Cardinals are led in scoring by freshman guard Myles Belyeu, who is averaging 18.9 points per game.
Last season, the Lakers went 2-0 against the Cardinals, including an 87-54 win at Bud Cooper Gymnasium.
Scouting Northwood
The Timberwolves, who will play at Ferris State on Thursday before facing the Lakers on Saturday, have won their last two games, including a 75-70 home win over Michigan Tech on Saturday.
Northwood is scoring 76.1 points per game, while allowing 75.5 points per game. The Timberwolves are shooting 44.7 percent on the season, including 37.9 percent on three-point shots, while their opponents are shooting 45.8 percent and 36.8 percent from behind the arc.
The Timberwolves are led in scoring by senior guard Alec Marty, who is averaging 12.9 points per game.
Looking Ahead
The Lakers return to action against Algoma University inside Bud Cooper Gymnasium at 5 p.m. on Dec. 18.
Tickets
Tickets are available online or in-person at the LSSU ticket office. For additional ticket information, call (906) 635-2602. Children ages 13 and under are admitted to all Laker basketball games free of charge.
Follow
Be sure to follow the Lakers on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more information and behind-the-scenes action.