COLCHESTER, Vt. - The Lake Superior State men's basketball program (1-3) fell in their opening game of the Eracism Invitational to the Saint Rose Golden Knights (3-3) in the final seconds after a late comeback on Friday. 

Both teams battled early on their way to an 8-8 tie before Kingsley Perkins (Ypsilanti, Mich.) slammed it home in transition to help his team take a four point lead. The Golden Knights tied up the score, but Tyson Edmondson (Ypsilanti, Mich.) and David Wren (Ypsilanti, Mich.) combined to put the Lakers back up by five. Saint Rose was able to tie up the game at 20-20, but the Lakers were once again able to pull back ahead with a 6-1 run that featured multiple made baskets from Perkins before ultimately taking a 26-24 lead into the halftime break. 

Saint Rose struck first in the second half with a quick five points before an Edmondson three tied the game back up at 29-29. However, the Golden Knights pulled back out in front, but the Lakers were able to stay within striking distance. Then a three from Xander Okerlund (Empire, Mich.) started a 17-2 Laker run that was capped off with a layup from Perkins to give his team a one point lead late in the contest. However, the Golden Knights were able to convert a late shot to steal the win and survive the Lakers' furious comeback attempt.

Despite the loss, Perkins led the way offensively with 11 points off the bench while also grabbing seven rebounds. Meanwhile, Kemon Bassett (Detroit, Mich.) earned a ten-point, 12-rebound double-double, and he blocked a pair of Golden Knight shot attempts as well. 

The Lakers will look to bounce back when they face the host team, St. Michael's, in their second game of the Eracism Invitational on Saturday, Nov. 26 with tipoff scheduled for 7 p.m.