Box Score Dara Capaldi dominated, posting 23 points and 13 rebounds for Lake Superior State in an 85-82 loss to the Tiffin Dragons at Bud Cooper Gymnasium Thursday night.

The Redshirt Junior went 9-of-17 from the floor for LSSU (0-3, 0-0 GLIAC) and hit five free throws in an outstanding performance. Lara Aguzzi put the Lakers up 72-69 late, but the Dragons (2-1, 0-0 GMAC) rallied behind Isabellle Neidhurst, who scored six points down the stretch to put the visitors in the lead.

The game was a fast-paced, physical duel filled with excellent play. Grace Bradford scored 17 points, snatched eight rebounds and blocked three shots for the Lakers. It was another tremendous two-way game from the senior, who moved into fourth on LSSU's all-time rebounding list, passing Shannon Kulick ('00).

The Lakers took a brief lead late in the first half on a 9-0 run. Down 27-21 in a close game, Malia Thelen, Seyyanne Matthew and Capaldi all scored, before Clare Conzelmannstuck a three to put LSSU in front 28-27. Grace Bradford hit a jumper to push the lead to 30-27, Tiffin rebounded, taking a 35-34 lead into halftime.

But an entertaining first half turned into a thrill ride second. Capaldi went on a personal 6-0 run late in the third to give the Lakers another lead, minutes after a tremendous and-one play by Lauren Wilder. She had another late in the quarter that put the Lakers ahead 58-55. She finished with 11 points off the bench, hitting three of her four shots and finishing five of six free throws.

The Lakers shot 46% from the floor in the game and hammered the Dragons on the glass. LSSU grabbed 15 offensive rebounds, while Tiffin had 23 defensive boards - a tremendous ratio off Laker misses. Tiffin only managed six offensive rebounds.

This game was the first of three the Lakers play in a five-day window. LSSU hosts Hillsdale on Saturday at 1:00 PM at the Bud Cooper Gymnasium, then faces Malone on Monday at 5:00 PM. Get your tickets to see the Lakers at the Norris Center box office.