Box Score Nino Carter-Smith stole six balls away from Minnesota-Duluth, scored 24 points and doled out three assists, a fantastic outing by the junior guard. But Lake Superior State (1-3, 0-0 GLIAC) lost 72-69 to Minnesota Duluth (4-1, 0-0 NSIC), closing out a weekend of nonconference action in Duluth, MN.
Caleb Siwek's step-back three-pointer with 41 seconds remaining put the Bulldogs ahead 68-63, just enough of a gap to see out a result against an aggressive Laker team. UMD passed for nine assists, but turned the ball over 12 times, including on nine Laker steals.
Carter-Smith scored 10 points in the closing two minutes of the game, including a three at the buzzer to set the final margin. He set a new career-high with his 24 points, and came close to the program record for steals. Laker great Akaemji Williams holds that record, after an astounding eight plunders against Tiffin on December 3rd, 2016.
Omar Suleiman scored 10 points for Lake Superior State and added three rebounds with two assists.
While the Lakers defended well much of the game, they clamped down on the Bulldogs behind the long line in the second half. Minnnesota-Duluth shot ust 3-of-12 from three in the second half, while the Lakers went 7-of-17 from deep after halftime.
Drew Hess connected on two three-pointers, scoring eight points in total off the bench. The sharpshooter from Oscoda, MI played a key role in the second half, putting the Lakers ahead 48-46 with 12:21 remaining, then cutting the deficit to 62-59 with another triple late in the half.Â
LSSU travels to Flint to play Gannon at Mott Community College on Wednesday afternoon, then hosts Lawrence Tech Saturday at 2:00 PM for its home opener. The Lakers will host a ring ceremony for the 2024-25 team that made the NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Tournament's Elite Eight. Buy your tickets and arrive early. LSSU's hockey team will then host Augustana in CCHA play, rounding out the day's doubleheader, with a Superior Saturday tailgate in the Arbuckle Student Activity Center between games.
