KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Starting off their season in exhibition play, the Lake Superior State women's basketball team took on Division I opponent Western Michigan. The Lakers had a good showing against the Broncos, but fell in the end by a 72-59 score.
The Broncos scored the first 7 points of the game, before sophomore Lexie Khon made a three-pointer to get Lake Superior on the board. Western Michigan kept the Lakers at bay through the rest of the opening quarter, however, and held a 20-8 lead at the end of the first.
In the second quarter, the Laker offense received a boost from the team's free throw shooting. Lake Superior went 5 for 8 at the line in the second quarter. Coupled with 6 field goals and 3 threes, the Lakers scored 20 points in the second quarter. Unfortunately, the Lakers were unable to slow down the Broncos' offense, as they put up 27 second quarter points, sending the teams into halftime, with Western Michigan holding a 47-28 lead.
The third quarter saw the Lakers outscore the Broncos 16-15. Much of the teams' respective benches saw considerable action, as Lakers Courtney Jacobsen and Natalie Peterson spent the majority of the quarter on the floor. Lake Superior's bench proved productive, as they outscored Western Michigan's bench 11-4, led by Lindsey Pajot with 4 points.
The fourth and final quarter saw the Lakers continue outscoring Western Michigan, as Lake Superior managed 15 points to the Broncos 10. Unfortunately for the Lakers, the first half lead that the Broncos opened up was too much for the Lakers to overcome, as they ultimately fell 72-59.
Leading the Lakers was Khon, who had 12 points. Peterson and Taylor Bryant came off of the bench to grab 6 rebounds each, and Claire Radtke pulled in 2 steals. Bryant scored 6 points to lead the Lakers' bench. As a team, the Lakers shot 32 percent inside the arch, but did manage to shoot 40 percent from outside the arch.
Western Michigan was led by Jasmyn Walker with 16 points. Breanna Mobley had 7 rebounds to lead the Broncos, while Deja Wimby had 10 steals.
The Lakers continue their exhibition slate on Sunday, November 5th when they travel to East Lansing for a matchup against Michigan State. Tip-off is at 2 p.m.