VanderWal hits career highs against Warriors
SAULT STE. MARIE - Wayne State out-sized Lake Superior State in the post, but LSSU senior center Alyssa VanderWal had the upper hand as the Lakers defeated the Warriors, 77-59, Saturday at Bud Cooper Gymnasium.
VanderWal totaled 21 points and 16 rebounds -- hitting career highs in both categories -- to lead the Lakers (11-7 overall, 4-6 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference). The 6-3 center was 7-of-12 from the field and 9-of-10 at the free-throw line while going up against WSU's center, 6-5 junior Lindsey West. VanderWal had 11 second-half rebounds as her team pulled away from a seven-point halftime lead.
LSSU forward Jackie Armstrong (6-0) had to contend with 6-2 forward Brittany Smith of WSU. Armstrong also had a solid outing, totaling 18 points and four rebounds. Nicole Marshall added 13 points and six rebounds, and Shelle Rochon had eight points and eight rebounds. Marshall and Rochon both came off the bench, while starting guard Emily Joseph contributed nine points and six assists.
Lake Superior State put the the game out of reach with a 16-1 run early in the second half. VanderWal scored eight points and Armstrong five during a 2:41 span. Ronlea Peterson added a three-pointer as LSSU built a 57-36 lead with 14:05 remaining in the game.
LSSU went on to shoot 46.2 percent from the field, including 8-of-26 from three-point range. The Lakers made 21-of-26 free throws and out-rebounded the Warriors, 43-25.
Jasmine McCall and Smith scored 14 points each to lead Wayne State (5-10 overall, 3-7 GLIAC). WSU shot 32.8 percent from the field, including 4-of-17 from three-point range and 13-of-17 at the free-throw line.
LSSU, which finished 3-2 during its recent homestand, heads to Northern Michigan on Thursday, Jan. 22.
