Lakers vs. WMU
Lakers knock off No. 25 Philadelphia at Disney Tip-Off Tournament
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Lake Superior State overcame a nine-point first-half deficit and led throughout the second half to beat No. 25 Philadelphia 59-57 Friday during the opening round of the Disney DII Men's Basketball Tip-Off Tournament at the famed The Milk House.
It was uncharacteristic of LSSU to commit more turnovers than its opponent (13-9), but the Lakers held Phildelphia to 39.3 percent from the field and landed three scorers in double figures. Junior college transfer Justin Williams, playing in his first game as a Laker, recorded a double double of 10 points and 13 rebounds. Senior Scott Perkins led with 16 points and five assists, and junior Micah Hudson went three-for-three from behind the arc and had 11 points.
Philadelphia (0-1) outscored LSSU 10-1 to pull away from a 7-7 tie early in the first half. Perkins scored five points and Williams four as the Lakers (1-0) battled their way to a 22-20 lead with 2:38 remaining. Hudson made a layup with 36 seconds to go to give Lake Superior State a 28-27 halftime edge.
Perkins, Williams and Andrew Charlesworth scored the first six points of the second half to set the tone for the final period. Kyle Hunt, who finished with five points, five rebounds, six assists and two steals, set up Perkins' basket with a steal. A defensive rebound by Garrett Konuszewski led to Williams' basket, and Charlesworth scored on a put-back.
Hudson canned three-pointers at 13:35, 11:44 and 10:10 to give LSSU its biggest lead of the game, 50-39. Perkins followed a Konuszewski field goal with a three-pointer to give the Lakers a 58-46 lead with 3:54 remaining. Charlesworth set up Perkins' tray with his third offensive rebound of the game.
Philadelphia took advantage of three Laker turnovers during the final two minutes and threatened down the stretch. Perkins made one of two free throws with 33 seconds remaining to give LSSU the 59-57 lead. Philadelphia called a timeout with 17 seconds left and missed a go-ahead three-point attempt at the buzzer.
Malcolm Ingram led Philadelphia with 22 points and 10 rebounds.
The Lakers, coming off last year's 22-9 season, play St. Leo at 7 p.m. Saturday.
Photo by Chris Livingston
