SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – Lake Superior State women's basketball begins Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Play with two road games this week.

Lake Superior State (3-2) faces No. 1 Ashland (5-0) at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday at Kates Gymnasium in Ashland, Ohio and Wayne State (2-3) at 1 p.m. on Saturday at the Matthaei Center in Detroit.

Last Time on the Court

The Lakers dropped a road game at the University of Indianapolis 68-59 on Nov. 21. LSSU and UIndy played a tightly contested first three quarters as the Lakers trailed 48-46 going into the fourth quarter. UIndy pulled away as the Lakers were outscored 20-13 in the final quarter. The Lakers were led offensively by junior forward Lexie Khon, who scored a team-high 23 points, while grabbing seven rebounds. Khon was effective at getting to the free throw line – where she converted 9-of-13 attempts.  

Best Start Since 2014-15

With their 3-2 start to the season, Lake Superior State is off to its best start to a season since 2014-15 when the Lakers were also 3-2 through five games.

GLIAC Play

With its games at Ashland and Wayne State, Lake Superior State is beginning GLIAC play. The Lakers are looking to improve upon a 2017-18 season where they finished 2-18 in conference play.

By the Numbers

Lake Superior State is averaging 66.8 points per game, while holding the opposition to 66.2 points per game. LSSU is shooting 39.9 percent from the field, including 35.7 percent from three-point range, while limiting opponents to 38.7 percent shooting overall and 26.5 percent from behind the three-point arc. The Lakers are averaging 6.0 made three-pointers and 6.8 steals per game. Khon and junior guard Claire Radtke are pacing the Lakers with 13.8 and 10.4 points per game, respectively.

GLIAC North Division Player of the Week

Radtke was named the GLIAC Women's Basketball North Division Player of the Week on Nov. 19. Radtke averaged 15.5 points per game on 60 percent shooting, including 70 percent on three-point shots, while averaging four rebounds and one steal as the Lakers defeated Ohio Valley (78-48) and Alderson Broaddus (77-64) on Nov. 15 and Nov. 17, respectively.

Head Coach Brandon Lokken's Preview

Scouting Ashland

No. 1 Ashland enters the game with the Lakers having won its first five games of the season, including a 118-62 win at the AU Thanksgiving Tournament in Ashland, Ohio on Sunday.

Ashland is scoring 97.8 points per game, while holding opponents to 66.6 points per game. The Eagles are shooting 49.9 percent on the season and 34.0 percent on three-point shots, while their opponents are shooting 38.6 percent, including 42.3 percent from behind the arc.

Jodi Johnson leads the Eagles in scoring with 20.4 points per game this season. Four other Eagles are averaging double figures in points: Sara Loomis (16.4 points per game), Karlee Pireu (12.4), Maddie Dackin (12.2) and Renee Stimpert (11.8). 

Last season, the Lakers went 0-2 against the Eagles with one home game and one away game.

Scouting Wayne State

The Warriors, who will face Ferris State at home on Thursday before facing the Lakers on Saturday, are 2-3 in their first five games this season, including a 70-67 overtime win at the AU Thanksgiving Tournament in Ashland, Ohio on Sunday. 

Wayne State is scoring 62.8 points per game, while allowing 68.4 points per game. The Warriors are shooting 32.5 percent on the season, including 26.7 percent on three-point shots, while their opponents are shooting 40.2 percent and 35.2 percent from behind the arc.

The Warriors are led in scoring by Natassja Chambers (14.6 points per game), Ja'Nae Williams (12.8) and Alex Matus (11.4).

Last season, the Lakers lost their only game of the season against the Warriors in Detroit.

First Home Game

The Lakers will play their first regular-season home game against Saginaw Valley State University on Dec. 6 at 5:30 p.m.

Tickets are available online or in-person at the LSSU ticket office. For additional ticket information, call (906) 635-2602. 

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