Cullen Maksimowski, LSSULakers.com
SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich.— After another impressive regular season run in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, the Lake Superior State men's basketball team is set for postseason basketball as they play host to Grand Valley inside the Bud Cooper Gymnasium Wednesday evening (7 p.m.) in the Great Lakers Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament Quarterfinal round.
Setting The Stage:
LSSU, who wrapped up their regular season 22-6 overall, 16-4 in the GLIAC, enter the tournament as the No.2 Seed. GVSU comes in as the No.7 seed with a 14-14, 9-11 mark.
Lake State is 1-1 in regular season meetings with their Laker counter parts falling on the road, 66-62, (Jan.18) and taking the second matchup,85-73, at home last Thursday.
Lake Superior enters play on a five-game win streak and are a perfect 11-0 on their home court this season. Grand Valley has dropped two-straight to end the regular season and are 3-8 on the road.
By the Numbers:
LSSU comes in averaging 81.0 points per game, which ranks No.2 in the league and are No.3 defensively 69.3. GVSU is averaging 76.5 points per contest while allowing 71.9.
LSSU Leaders:
Senior guard Akaemji Williams paces the team in scoring and ranks No.3 in the conference averaging 19.2 points per game. Williams leads the league and ranks No.7 nationally in ball handling with 7.1 assists per contest.
Michael Nicholson, a senior forward, leads the GLIAC and ranks No.7 nationally in offensive efficiency with a 65.1 field goal percentage on the year. Nicholson is averaging 11.5 points per game and leads the team on the glass with 7.7 boards per game.
Blake Marquardt has been the team's best sharpshooter this season with a 52.4 percent clip from behind the arc which leads the nation.
GVSU Leaders:
Hunter Hale leads Grand Valley offensively averaging 13.0 points per game. Jake Van Tubbergen is posting 11.6.
Tournament Outlook:
A Lake State win on Wednesday sends them to the GLIAC Semifinals on Saturday March 3. The GLIAC Championship Game is slated for Sunday March 4. Location for the Semifinal and Finals will be determined based off the highest remaining seed after Wednesday's quarterfinal action.
Tickets:
Tickets for Wednesday's match are available at the Norris Center Ticket Office or online at lssulakers.com/tickets.
Special Promotions:
All Lake State students with valid ID get into the game for free courtesy of LSSU Student Life and the LSSU Student Government.
Wednesday's game will also be a 'Blue Out' inside the Bud Cooper. Fans are encouraged to wear as much blue as possible in support of the Lakers playoff run.