Lakers hope to continue momentum with strong showings at MTU and NMU

SAULT STE. MARIE - A rare scheduling scenario has the Lake Superior State men's and women's basketball teams and the Laker hockey team all playing at Northern Michigan on Saturday, Feb. 27. NMU is offering free admission to the basketball games to anyone who purchases a ticket to the Saturday hockey showdown 

The LSSU basketball teams begin their Upper Peninsula road trip Thursday at Michigan Tech. The Laker women play the fourth-ranked Huskies at 5:30 p.m., while the men's game follows at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday's triple-header begins with the women's basketball game at 11 a.m., followed by the men's basketball game at 1 p.m. at the Berry Events Center. Tickets for the hockey game, which begins at 7:35 p.m., are $15. For more information on this promotion call the NMU Ticket Office at 906-227-1032.

All four basketball games will be broadcast live on Talkradio 1400.

Earlier this season, the LSSU women (14-10 overall, 11-9 GLIAC) lost a 72-67 home thriller to the Huskies (23-2 overall, 18-2 GLIAC) and dropped an eight-point decision to the Wildcats (17-8 overall, 14-6 GLIAC). LSSU, which is fourth in the North Division, clinched its GLIAC Tournament berth and is not in contention to host a quarterfinal game, but the Lakers have won four straight and hope to maintain momentum head into the post-season. While MTU is top GLIAC Tournament seed throughout the playoffs, NMU is tied for second in the North Division with Grand Valley State and has a lot on the line this week.

The LSSU men's team, which is 13-12 overall and 11-9 in the GLIAC, is still in contention to host a GLIAC quarterfinal game. The wide-open men's race includes a mixed bag of scenarios. While GVSU has clinched the top spot in the North Division, Saginaw Valley State and Ferris State are tied for second at 12-8, and LSSU is one game behind. SVSU also plays Michigan Tech and Northern Michigan, while Ferris State closes at home against Northwood and Wayne State.

The Laker men were successful in two close games earlier against their U.P. rivals. They beat the Wildcats 87-83 and the Huskies 67-64. NMU and MTU are out of the running for GLIAC Tournament berths.