PREVIEW | Laker Men’s Basketball Set for Big Weekend in the Bud Cooper with the Visiting Bulldogs and Lakers in Town -

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – The No. 11 Lake Superior State (LSSU) men’s basketball team (17-3, 8-2 GLIAC) is set to host the No. 15 Ferris State Bulldogs (18-3, 8-2 GLIAC) on Thursday, January 30th and then on Saturday, February 1st hey will take on GLIAC newcomers, the Roosevelt Lakers (6-12, 3-7 GLIAC).

Thursday, January 30: No. 11 Lake Superior State Lakers vs. No. 15 Ferris State Bulldogs

Both teams are tied for first place in the GLIAC standings in a battle between the league’s top two teams in the national rankings. The first meeting between these two teams back in December to open league play was a thriller, with Ferris State edging out the Lakers in dramatic fashion thanks to a game-winning buzzer-beater from Ethan Erickson. The Lakers will be seeking revenge in the Bud Cooper Gymnasium after beating both of their Upper Peninsula rivals last week, and the Bulldogs are looking to bounce back after an overtime loss to Michigan Tech on Saturday.

The first 500 fans on Thursday will receive a free rally towel, courtesy of Norris Contracting.

Key Players:

Tyson Edmondson (LSSU): The Lakers’ standout guard has been a key player for the team all season long. Edmondson has the ability to light up the scoreboard and drive the Lakers’ offense with a team-leading 16.6 points per game.

Ethan Erickson (Ferris State): Erickson proved that he could hit from anywhere in the previous meeting between these two programs, regardless of how close the defenders are to him. The Lakers will look to slow him down.

What to Watch:

High Powered Offenses, but Defense Wins Championships: Both teams come into this matchup with the top-two scoring offenses in the GLIAC (FSU, 86.4ppg; LSSU, 80.5ppg). However, The Lakers hold the edge with their tough brand of defenses that have held several opponents well below their season averages. The LSSU scoring defense holds the top mark in the GLIAC at 66.5 points per game allowed.

Saturday, February 1: No. 11 Lake Superior State Lakers vs. Roosevelt Lakers
After Thursday’s battle for first place, the Lakers will have to quickly refocus as they host GLIAC newcomers, Roosevelt, on Saturday. While Roosevelt may not have the same national attention as Ferris State, don’t count them out—this is still a critical game for LSSU as they aim to stay atop the GLIAC standings, and RU has already given LSSU one close call already this season after Forte Prater and Thomas Enari combined for 55 points to keep the game close as Lake Superior State escaped the Windy City with a two-point win 79-77.

Key Players:

Forte Prater (Roosevelt): Prater has been a standout for Roosevelt this season and can take over games with his scoring ability, as seen in the prior meeting between these two programs in which he scored 30 points. The Lakers will need to keep him in check if they want to avoid an upset.

Thomas Enari (Roosevelt): Prater’s running mate, Enari ranks fourth in the GLIAC in scoring with 17.2 points per game.

Kingsley Perkins (LSSU): Perkins recorded 20 points in the prior matchup with Roosevelt as a steady force in the paint.

Devin Womack (LSSU): Womack runs the LSSU offense from the point guard position, controlling the tempo and steadying the ship when necessary, but when his team needs him to score, he is more than capable as seen by his 17-point showing against Roosevelt earlier this season in which he drilled a pair of clutch threes late to fend off RU’s upset bit.

What to Watch:

Keeping Momentum: After what projects to be an intense game against Ferris State, can the Lakers bring the same energy against Roosevelt? Maintaining focus and momentum will be key.

With the conference title potentially on the line, this week could be a turning point for the Lakers. Fans are in for an action-packed couple of games, so get ready to cheer on LSSU in what promises to be a thrilling stretch of GLIAC action!

Source: LSSU Athletics