Box Score Another tough, resilient performance by Lake Superior State wrapped up a five game, season-opening home schedule. But the Malone Pioneers beat the Lakers 69-63 Monday night at the Bud Cooper Gymnasium.
Grace Bradford scored 13 points and snagged 14 rebounds for LSSU (0-5, 0-0 GLIAC), while
Clare Conzelmann led the team with 14 points.
Much like Saturday's game against Hillsdale, defense dictated the tempo for large stretches of the contest. The Lakers held a very good Pioneers (5-0, 0-0 GMAC) squad to 16.7% shooting in the first quarter. They average 46.9% from the floor through the first five games of this season. While that average picked up to north of 40% in each of the remaining three quarters, the Pioneers never hit their season average, a testament to the stout Lakers defense. Conzelmann hit back-to-back threes to open the game, and the Lakers grabbed a quick 9-5 lead before Malone started to sink some shots.
Malone's defense locked in for the third quarter, forcing LSSU to a 3-for-16 shooting performance. But the hosts showed tremendous resolve, bouncing back to shoot 50% from the field in the fourth quarter, even cutting the score to five points late. The Lakers are earning a reputation early in the season for resiliency, grit and determination against tough opposition.
Seyyane Matthew scored 11 points and added five rebounds for Lake Superior State. She scored double figures for the first time in her collegiate career, shooting 4-of-5 from the floor. The first-year player from Brampton, Ontario, Canada also blocked a shot and added an assist.
Erin Kaufman led the Pioneers with 21 points and 10 rebounds. The Lakers kept all of their other scorers off-balance, forcing contested looks and inefficient shooting numbers from a squad that generally creates quality looks through the game. LSSU's aggressive, relentless defense forced five steals and three blocked shots.
Lake Superior State next plays Grand Valley State, hitting the road for a December 4th contest. The Lakers host Walsh on December 15th at the Bud Cooper Gymnasium for their next home game.
