SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. - The Lake Superior State women's basketball team will host the Northern Michigan Wildcats in a weekend series on Saturday, Jan. 30 at 3:00 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 31 at 3:00 p.m. in the Bud Cooper Gymnasium in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.
Due to COVID-19 related changes in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) scheduling process for the 2021 season, teams will play a pair of games against the same opponent each weekend.
The Lakers
Through the first seven games of the season, Lake Superior State has posted a 1-6 overall record in GLIAC play. On Tuesday, Jan. 26, the Lakers hosted the Ferris State Bulldogs for a single game in the Bud Cooper Gymnasium. The Lakers fell to the Bulldogs by a final score of 83-65.
Through the first four weeks of the 2021 season, the Lakers have two players averaging over 10 points per game in sophomore guard Margot Woughter and sophomore forward Mattison Rayman. Woughter, who has been out of the lineup for the past three games, leads the team with 14.0 points per game on a 40.0 shooting percentage. Rayman, who has started all five games she's played in this season, has averaged 11.0 points per game while also leading the team in rebounds per game with 6.5. Rayman ranks second among her teammates with a 48.4 shooting percentage this season.
Newcomers Makenzie Bray and Jaden Wilder have both made an impact for the Lakers on the floor in the last few games. Bray, a forward, is averaging 9.3 points per game and posted a season-best 16 points against Ferris State on Tuesday night. With four double-digit point totals so far this season, Bray has recorded three consecutive games with double figures in points. Wilder, a freshman guard, has started the past two games for the Lakers and played a season-high 37 minutes against the Bulldogs on Tuesday. Wilder has registered back-to-back games with 10 or more points, including 13 points against Ferris.
As a team, the Laker offense is combining for 55.0 points per game this season on a 34.9 shooting percentage and a 25.2 percentage from three. Lake Superior has recorded an average of 29.4 rebounds per game this season.
Last Season's Series
Last season, the Lakers and the Wildcats played each other twice with each team winning one game. The Wildcats won the opening game of the series which was played in their home gym while the Lakers evened the series with a 59-54 win at home on Feb. 13, 2020.
Scouting the Wildcats
Northern Michigan will travel to Sault Ste. Marie to take on the Lakers in the only series between the pair of Upper Peninsula schools this season. The Wildcats are led by head coach Troy Mattson, who is in his 16th season in the role. Last season, the Wildcats posted a 13-16 overall roster (10-10 GLIAC) and was voted to finish third in the standings in the GLIAC North Division Preseason Poll.
In their most recent game, the Wildcats recorded a 55-46 loss to Michigan Tech on Tuesday, Jan. 26. Through the first seven games of the season, Northern Michigan has posted a 4-3 overall record.
The Wildcats have been led by sophomore guard Makaylee Kuhn, who ranks third among all GLIAC players this season with 22.9 points per game. Kuhn has totaled a 54.6 shooting percentage and a 44.0 percentage from beyond the arc this season. In addition to leading her team in points, Kuhn ranks second among her teammates in rebounds per game with 6.0.
Junior forwards Elena Alaix and Emily Mueller have been other key contributors for the Wildcats this season. Alaix ranks second among her teammates in points per game (8.1) while adding 4.9 rebounds per game. Mueller rounds out the Wildcats top three scorers with 7.5 points per game and an average of 5.5 rebounds per game. Sophomore guard Samantha Potter leads the Wildcats with 7.1 rebounds per game this season.
As a team, the Wildcat offense is combining for 64.9 points per game this season on a 42.3 shooting percentage and a 36.1 percentage from three. Ferris State has recorded an average of 35.1 rebounds per game this season.
Follow the Lakers
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.
For more information, visit lssulakers.com
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