SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. - The Lake Superior State men's basketball team will travel to Big Rapids, Mich. to play the Ferris State Bulldogs in a single game on Tuesday, Jan. 26 at 5:00 p.m. in the Jim Wink Arena. As the two teams are Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) travel partners, the Lakers and Bulldogs will play one another in a home and home series that will conclude on Tuesday, Feb. 16 in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.
The Lakers
Lake Superior State has totaled a 2-4 overall record through the first three weekends of GLIAC play this season. Last weekend, the Lakers played a home series against Michigan Tech and fell in both games to the Huskies. In Friday's series opener, the Lakers fell by a final score of 79-74 and wrapped up the series with an 83-70 loss to the Huskies.
Following the first six games of the 2021 season, the Lakers have been led by a mix of returning players and new faces. Four Lakers are averaging 10 or more points per game. Forward Kemon Bassett, a junior transfer from Schoolcraft Community College, leads the team with 16.5 points per game as well ranks second among his teammates in rebounds per game with 6.7. Heading into the game against the Bulldogs, Bassett ranks fourth among all GLIAC players in points per game. Sophomore Nigel Colvin has provided the team a spark off the bench this season as he has averaged a 56.4 shooting percentage and a 5.6 percentage from the three point line to average 14.3 points per game.
David Wren, a junior guard who also played two seasons at Schoolcraft, has also made an impact with his new team this season as he has averaged 13.5 points per game. Through the first six games, Wren has recorded a team-best 58.5 shooting percentage, which ranks fifth among all GLIAC players.
Redshirt senior Malek Adams has averaged 11.2 points per game for the Lakers while also averaging three assists per game. Junior Justin Fischer (9.3 points per game) leads the team in rebounds per game with 7.0 and totaled 14 rebounds against Michigan Tech last weekend.
As a team, the Lakers offense is combining for 76.0 points per game this season, which ranks second among all GLIAC teams, on a 48.1 shooting percentage and a 38.5 percentage from three. Lake Superior has recorded an average of 30.2 rebounds per game this season.
Last Season's Series
Last season, the Lakers and the Bulldogs played each other twice with Ferris State winning both games. The Bulldogs won the first meeting by a final score of 97-86 on Dec. 14, 2019 in Sault Ste. Marie and would record a 84-73 win at home on Feb. 27, 2020 in the final regular season game of the 2019-20 season.
Scouting the Bulldogs
Ferris State will host the Lakers for the first game of the home-and-home series between the two teams this season. The Bulldogs are led by head coach Andy Bronkema, who is in his eighth season in the role. Last season, Michigan Tech posted a 27-6 overall record (16-4 GLIAC) and was voted to finish in first in the GLIAC North Division standings in the Preseason Poll.
Last weekend, the Bulldogs faced off against Northern Michigan and split the series against the Wildcats. Ferris dropped the first game by a score of 67-59 final and then closed out the series with a 67-45 win to improve to 4-5 this season.
The Bulldogs are led by senior guard Walt Kelser, who is second in the GLIAC in points per game this season, is averaging 22.4 points per game. Kesler was voted to the Preseason All-GLIAC North Division team and has recorded two games with 38 or more points this season for Ferris State. In seven games this season, Kelser has a 46.2 shooting percentage and a 43.4 percentage from three.
Senior forward Michael Peterson is another key part of the Bulldogs roster as ranks second on the team in points per game with 10.3 while also leading FSU in rebounds with 6.9 per game. Peterson leads his teammates in minutes per game as he is averaging 30.6 minutes on the floor.
As a team, the Bulldogs offense is combining for 65.8 points per game this season on a 42.1 shooting percentage and a 33.9 percentage from three. Ferris State has recorded an average of 34.9 rebounds per game this season.
Follow the Lakers
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Due to State of Michigan, GLIAC and Lake Superior State University mandates, fans are not currently permitted to attend any Laker sporting events. Even though spectators cannot currently attend Laker home games, there are still a number of ways that fans will be able to follow the game action. All Laker home games during the 2021 season will be available to watch live on Stretch TV. For more information or to sign up for a subscription, visit https://portal.stretchinternet.com/lssu/. Fans can also tune in to the radio broadcast on ESPN 1400, the official radio station of Laker basketball.
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