SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich.- The Lake Superior State men's basketball season will begin on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 3:00 p.m. as the Lakers take on the Rochester University Warriors in the Bud Cooper Gymnasium. The exhibition game will allow the Lakers to test their skills against a non-conference opponent before the regular season gets underway.  

2018-19 Recap

The Lakers had a winning record of 15-12 last year that included an 11-9 record against Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) opponents, which led the team to a sixth place finish in the GLIAC overall, and fourth place in the GLIAC North Division. Of the Lakers losses, eight games were decided by eight points or less. The Lakers also shot 48.5 percent from the field, a blazing 40 percent from three point line, as well as 68.9 percent from the foul line. 

Preparing for 2019

The Lakers are led by Steve Hettinga, the all-time winningest coach in Laker Basketball history, who enters his 13th season in the role. Hettinga's staff is comprised of Assistant Coach Ted Stowe and newly hired Assistant Coach Tim Cairnduff (LSSU class of 2019).

The Lakers will look to their returning leaders from last season to have success in this season. Senior forward Ke'Montrece Collins and redshirt senior guard Cody Ley have been contributors in the past and will look to continue their leadership during the 2019-2020 season. Collins was named to the 2019-2020 GLIAC Men's Basketball Preseason All-Conference Team for the North Division. 

With senior guard Malek Adams, last season's MVP, out for the season with an injury, the Lakers will  look at some of their returners to step up and fill the role this season. Most notably will be sophomore guard C.J. Robinson who was voted Best Newcomer for his team in 2018-2019. Member of the junior class such as center Jackson Schrameyer, guard Brandon Allen and guard Sam Cornett will also look to lead the Lakers to success this season. 

Preview

The Lakers will face the Warriors of Rochester University who are already 2-0 in regular season play on the year. Not included in that record was a two point loss in an exhibition game to Division I opponent Oakland Grizzlies. The Lakers will try and play scrappy on the boards as the Warriors have outrebounded their opponents in all three of the games they have played. The Lakers will rely on their experienced leaders to have success on Saturday. 

Up Next

The Lakers will travel to Nashville, Tenn. to participate in the Trevecca Classic hosted by Trevecca Nazarene University. The Lakers will face Drury University on Friday, Nov. 8 at 12:00 p.m. and Southwest Baptist University on Saturday, Nov. 9 at 11:30 p.m. 

For more information, visit lssulakers.com

To purchase tickets, click here or call (906) 635-2601. 

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