SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. - The Lake Superior State women's basketball team will travel to Grand Rapids, Mich. this weekend to take on the Davenport Panthers in a two game series. The first game is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 5 at 5:00 p.m. and the second game is set for a 1:00 p.m. tipoff. Both games will be played at the DU Student Center.
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 nine games of the season, Lake Superior State has posted a 1-8 overall record in GLIAC play. Last weekend, the Lakers hosted the Northern Michigan Wildcats for a pair of games in the Bud Cooper Gymnasium. The Lakers fell to the Wildcats in the first game by a score of 62-46 and dropped the second game by an 83-66 final.
Following the first month of the 2021 season, the Lakers have been led by the team's large incoming class as well as some key returners. Sophomore guard Margot Woughter, who joined the team following a single season at Indiana Wesleyan University, leads the Lakers with 14.0 points per game on a 40.0 shooting percentage. Woughter has missed the last five games for the Lakers. Sophomore forward Mattison Rayman, who has started all seven games she's played in this season, has averaged 9.7 points per game while also leading the team in rebounds per game with 5.6. Rayman ranks third among her teammates with a 41.8 shooting percentage this season.
Newcomers Makenzie Bray and Jaden Wilder have both made an impact on the floor in their first season with the Lakers. Bray, a transfer forward, is averaging 8.4 points per game and posted a season-best 16 points against Ferris State on Jan. 26. The forward has recorded four double-digit point games this season. Bray, who averages the second highest minutes per game on the Laker with 24.7 per game, has the second best shooting percentage from three (41.7%) on the team.
Wilder, a freshman guard, has started the past four games for the Lakers and played a season-high 38 minutes against the Wildcats on Sunday. Wilder has registered double figures in points in three of the last four games for the Lakers, and ranks second on the team with a 45.9% shooting percentage.
Junior guard Carson Nitz is coming off a strong showing against the NMU Wildcats on Sunday as she posted a season-high 17 points in the game. Nitz went 6-for-8 in the game, including 3-for-5 from beyond the arc.
As a team, the Laker offense is combining for 55.2 points per game this season on a 35.1 shooting percentage and a 27.2 percentage from three. Lake Superior has recorded an average of 30.1 rebounds per game this season.
Last Season's Series
Last season, the Lakers and the Panthers met for a single game on Jan. 2, 2020 in the Bud Cooper Gymnasium in Sault Ste. Marie. Lake Superior State won the contest by a final score of 63-57. Mattison Rayman had a double-double for the Lakers with 10 points and 12 rebounds in the game.
Scouting the Panthers
Davenport will host the Lakers in Grand Rapids, Mich. for the only series between the two GLIAC schools this season. The Panthers are led by head coach Rick Albro, who is in his fourth season in the role. Last season, the Panthers posted a 7-21 overall record (2-18 GLIAC) and was voted to finish sixth in the standings in the GLIAC South Division Preseason Poll.
Last weekend, the Panthers recorded a pair of losses on the road to the Ashland Eagles, by scores of 62-56 and 65-53. Through the first nine games of the season, Davenport has posted a 2-7 overall record.
The Panthers are led by junior guard Toni Grace, who ranks eighth among all GLIAC players in points per game this season with 15.7. Grace has started all nine games for Davenport this season and averages 32.9 minutes on the court per game. Grace has totaled a 38.7 shooting percentage and a 31.3 percentage from three this season while adding 3.1 rebounds a game.
Sophomore forward Emily Lange has been an important piece for the Panthers this season, ranking second on the team with 11.3 points per game. Lange leads her teammates with a 41.6 shooting percentage and a 42.1 three pointer percentage while ranking second on the team in rebounds (4.9 per game). Junior forward Taylor Opolka leads Davenport with 5.3 rebounds per game.
As a team, the Panther offense is combining for 60.9 points per game this season on a 34.5 shooting percentage and a 28.9 percentage from three. Davenport has recorded an average of 35.2 rebounds per game this season.
Follow the Lakers
Fans can watch the games for free this weekend here.
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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