SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – Lake Superior State men's basketball defeated Purdue Northwest 101-69 in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play on Saturday afternoon in Bud Cooper Gymnasium.
The game was close through the first five minutes of the first half as Lake Superior State (10-6, 6-4 GLIAC) led Purdue Northwest (6-12, 2-8 GLIAC) 13-10 with 15 minutes to go until halftime. However, the Lakers went on a 42-18 run over the next 15 minutes to take a 55-28 lead into the intermission. The Lakers were never threatened in the second half as they outscored Purdue Northwest 46-41 to cruise to the 101-69 victory. Lake State led by as many as 45 points (85-40) with over 11 minutes remaining in the game before head coach Steve Hettinga emptied his bench.
Eleven different Lakers scored in the game, including three who scored in double figures: sophomore forward Rog Stein (22 points), junior forward Ke'Montrece Collins (19) and sophomore guard Brandon Allen (10). Stein also grabbed 10 rebounds to record his fifth double-double of the season. Allen's 10 points are a season high.
Freshman guard Justin Fischer tallied a career-high nine assists in the game.
Anthony Barnard led the Pride in scoring with 12 points.
Lake Superior State shot 56.5 percent from the floor and 42.9 percent on three-point shots, while holding Purdue Northwest to 42.9 percent shooting from the field and 31.0 percent from behind the three-point line.
The Lakers tallied 25 assists, while committing 12 turnovers.
The Lakers go on the road to face Ferris State on Saturday, Jan. 26 at 3 p.m. in a GLIAC matchup.
Lake Superior State spends the following week on the road before returning home to face Wayne State on Thursday, Feb. 7 and Ashland on Saturday, Feb. 9 .
Tickets for Laker basketball home games can be purchased online or in person at the LSSU ticket office. For additional ticket information, please call (906) 635-2602. Children ages 13 and under are admitted to all Laker basketball home games free of charge.
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Watch coach Hettinga's postgame interview below.