Up-tempo, high work-rate, aggressive basketball. While Lake Superior State lost its season-opening games against Findlay and Northwood this weekend, the Lakers (0-2, 0-0 GLIAC) impressed and showed why they're a team to keep an eye on in the 2025-26 season.
Grace Bradford registered a double-double in Friday's debut matchup with Findlay (0-2, 0-0 G-MAC)), a 72-61 loss for LSSU. The senior scored 19 points with 12 rebounds on 7-of-13 shooting against the Oilers.
Dara Capaldi, the transfer from Eastern Michigan, scored eight points and grabbed eight rebounds. She also tallied three assists, two steals and a block in her Laker debut.
Clare Conzelmann, from Frankenmuth, MI, knocked down three triples for nine points in her collegiate debut.
The game felt like a footrace between two well-conditioned, aggressive teams early in the season. Both teams attacked the rim with menace, going to the inside quickly and decisively, while looking to get up the floor quickly on defensive rebounds. It made for appointment viewing at the Bud Cooper Gym in Sault Ste. Marie, MI.
Bradford dominated a stretch in the middle of the second quarter, hitting three 3-point shots and dealing an assist. She helped cut an 11 point Oilers lead to just five later in the frame. The senior continued playing with the poise that's been a trademark of her time at LSSU. Capaldi rebounded very well for the Lakers, and her length bothered perimeter shooters and post players alike, especially in a frantic second quarter. She made two baskets, dished out an assist and stole a ball in a 90 second stretch where the Lakers cut the Oiler advantage to just four points. Both teams shot well over 50% from the field in that quarter and hit multiple three-pointers.
In the third quarter, the Oilers focused their attack inside through Ziehler, Listed at 6'0" with plus length, she finished with 19 points and 13 rebounds for the visitors, and attacked the rim in the third. She went 3-for-4 from the field, scoring 7 points, grabbing two rebounds and dishing an assist in the quarter. The Oilers gradually rebuilt their lead to double-digits by quarter's end. Though
Chloe Watson's fourth quarter three for LSSU cut the gap to eight points, Findlay secured the win after the intense contest in front of a great crowd in the Soo.
On Sunday, the Lakers lost to Northwood (2-0, 0-0 G-MAC) 93-67. Bradford led the Lakers in scoring again with 18 points, while chipping in nine rebounds. At 821 rebounds, she's now one behind Shannon Kulick ('00) for fourth on LSSU's all-time list. Conzelmann scored 10 points, while
Malia Thelen added nine off the bench.
Makenna Clement played a big role as well, scoring six points with six rebounds from the reserves.
Dara Capaldi put the Lakers up by three with a layup at 5:55 of the first quarter, but the Timberwolves answered with a pair of threes to take the lead.
They never looked back, growing the lead through the rest of the first half.
Another tremendous crowd watched the game at Bud Cooper Gymnasium, building an excellent college basketball atmosphere on a Sunday afternoon.
LSSU hosts three games in short order over the next week. The Lakers welcome Tiffin to the Bud Cooper Gymnasium on Thursday at 5:00 PM, followed by a 1:00 PM start against Hillsdale on Saturday. Then on Monday, LSSUÂ hosts Malone at 5:00 PM. Buy your tickets at the Norris Center box office and don't miss a minute of this exciting season of Laker basketball.
