Feb 25, 2008

Laker men edge Huskies in regular-season finale thriller

Feb. 25, 2008

HOUGHTON - A thrilling 59-57 victory over Michigan Tech during Monday's regular-season finale gave the Lake Superior State men's basketball team the opportunity to return to Houghton for the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament quarterfinals.

The Lakers (11-15 overall, 8-10 GLIAC), 4-1 in their last five games, were in a must-win situation heading into Monday's game. Although they were in sole possession of third place in the GLIAC North Division, they led Saginaw Valley State by a mere half game. The Cardinals, who swept LSSU during the regular season, owned the tie-breaker advantage.

Lake Superior State not only avenged its early-season 12-point loss to the Huskies (13-13 overall, 8-10 GLIAC), but earned its first GLIAC Tournament berth since 2002. LSSU and MTU meet for the third time this season at 4 p.m. Saturday in Houghton.

Michigan Tech scored the first nine points of the second half to rally back from a 31-24 halftime deficit. The Huskies shot 59.1 percent from the field in the second half, but the Lakers' aggressiveness never waivered. LSSU's Ryan Kuhl stopped the run by making one of two free throws at 17:03, then canned a three-pointer at 16:38 to give the Lakers a 35-33 lead.

When the Huskies crept ahead by six points, 48-42, with 10:36 to go, LSSU's Garrett Konuszewski hit a three-pointer to kill their momentum. Neither team led by more than two points the rest of the way.

MTU's Fedrick Bowe made a layup for a 57-57 deadlock with 42 seconds remaining. It was the game's 10th tie score.

LSSU's Mark Morse, who endured foul trouble throughout the second half, scored what proved to be the game-winner with 12 seconds left. MTU went to the free-throw line and had a chance to tie it with one second left, but missed the first free throw. The Huskies failed to get a shot off after purposely missing the second free throw.

Tim VanOudheusden led the Lakers with 19 points, and Kuhl followed with 17 points and nine rebounds. Scott Perkins had nine points, and Konuszewski added eight.

LSSU shot 45.2 percent from the field, including 5-of-14 from three-point range. The Lakers made 16-of-18 free throws.

Tim Strom led Michigan Tech with 15 points. The Huskies shot 52.5 percent from the field, including 9-of-22 from three-point range. They made 6-of-11 free throws and out-rebounded LSSU, 24-23.

In other quarterfinal matchups, Hillsdale will travel to No. 2-ranked Grand Valley State, No. 6 Findlay will host Mercyhurst, and Ashland heads to 13th-ranked Gannon.

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Cross Country Women's Tennis Women's Volleyball Ice Hockey Men's Basketball Track & Field Women's Basketball Men's Tennis Softball Track & Field Athletic Training Staff Directory Lakers in the Pros Facilities Boosters SAAC Tickets Traditions Student Athlete Handbook Forms	Feb 25, 2008 Laker men edge Huskies in regular-season finale thriller Feb. 25, 2008 HOUGHTON - A thrilling 59-57 victory over Michigan Tech during Monday's regular-season finale gave the Lake Superior State men's basketball team the opportunity to return to Houghton for the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament quarterfinals. The Lakers (11-15 overall, 8-10 GLIAC), 4-1 in their last five games, were in a must-win situation heading into Monday's game. Although they were in sole possession of third place in the GLIAC North Division, they led Saginaw Valley State by a mere half game. The Cardinals, who swept LSSU during the regular season, owned the tie-breaker advantage. Lake Superior State not only avenged its early-season 12-point loss to the Huskies (13-13 overall, 8-10 GLIAC), but earned its first GLIAC Tournament berth since 2002. LSSU and MTU meet for the third time this season at 4 p.m. Saturday in Houghton. Michigan Tech scored the first nine points of the second half to rally back from a 31-24 halftime deficit. The Huskies shot 59.1 percent from the field in the second half, but the Lakers' aggressiveness never waivered. LSSU's Ryan Kuhl stopped the run by making one of two free throws at 17:03, then canned a three-pointer at 16:38 to give the Lakers a 35-33 lead. When the Huskies crept ahead by six points, 48-42, with 10:36 to go, LSSU's Garrett Konuszewski hit a three-pointer to kill their momentum. Neither team led by more than two points the rest of the way. MTU's Fedrick Bowe made a layup for a 57-57 deadlock with 42 seconds remaining. It was the game's 10th tie score. LSSU's Mark Morse, who endured foul trouble throughout the second half, scored what proved to be the game-winner with 12 seconds left. MTU went to the free-throw line and had a chance to tie it with one second left, but missed the first free throw. The Huskies failed to get a shot off after purposely missing the second free throw. Tim VanOudheusden led the Lakers with 19 points, and Kuhl followed with 17 points and nine rebounds. Scott Perkins had nine points, and Konuszewski added eight. LSSU shot 45.2 percent from the field, including 5-of-14 from three-point range. The Lakers made 16-of-18 free throws. Tim Strom led Michigan Tech with 15 points. The Huskies shot 52.5 percent from the field, including 9-of-22 from three-point range. They made 6-of-11 free throws and out-rebounded LSSU, 24-23. In other quarterfinal matchups, Hillsdale will travel to No. 2-ranked Grand Valley State, No. 6 Findlay will host Mercyhurst, and Ashland heads to 13th-ranked Gannon.