SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. - The Lake Superior State women's basketball team (2-8, 1-3 GLIAC) are set to host a pair of nonconference tilts to close out the 2022 calendar year when they take on the Prairie Stars of Illinois-Springfield on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. and the Algoma Thunderbirds on Saturday at 1 p.m. 

The Lakers will be looking to bounce back after a pair of losses to Upper Peninsula rivals Michigan Tech and Northern Michigan, and it will all start with securing the glass as they continue to boast the top rebounding duo in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) in Mattison Rayman (Otsego, Mich.) (11.3) and Grace Bradford (Glen Arbor, Mich.) (8.7) who rank first and fourth in the league, respectively. Rayman will also be looking to work her way to the free throw line as she has all season, leading the nation in both free throws made (72) and free throw attempts (96).

The Prairie Stars are still looking for their first victory of the season after an 0-9 overall start, including November losses to GLIAC foes Purdue Northwest, Ferris State, and Wisconsin-Parkside. They are led offensively by star sophomore Ariyah Douglas who is currently averaging almost 21 points per game, a mark that has her ranked second in the Great Lakes Valley Conference behind only Hannah Belanger of Truman State.

The Thunderbirds will also be seeking their first win of the season when they cross the border to face the Lakers after an 0-10 start to the year, and they are led by Megan Looney who is averaging a double-double with 13.4 points and 11.6 rebounds per contest. Defensively, Looney also leads her team in steals (17).