Lake Superior State got a double-double from Grace Bradford, while Dara Capaldi nearly had another, but the Lakers lost a 75-43 result to the Ferris State Bulldogs on Monday Night at the Bud Cooper Gymnasium.

Bradford scored 10 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for LSSU (6-18, 3-13 GLIAC). Capaldi scored 11 with eight boards, attacking the Bulldog defense inside the arc and generating quality chances. She shot 5-for-9 against Ferris State (21-4, 12-2 GLIAC).

"She's incredible," said Laker head coach Grace Howrigon after the game. "She does a little bit of everything. She can play make, she can score, she can drive. She's got a middie. She's a leader. To have that rock solid human in the locker room and what she does for this culture and this standard in this program, every day of practice, every day in the gym, every day at whatever it is, she is just a blessing in our lives and in this program, and I'm really grateful that she chose to be a Laker."

Lara Aguzzi scored 11 points against the #17 Bulldogs. LSSU grabbed 14 offensive rebounds during the game as well, attacking the rim with intensity. Bradford snatched three of them.

"Grace is a dynamic force," Howrigon said. "She's a pretty much guaranteed double-double, a 1,000-point scorer and a 1,000-point rebounder. She's a special player.

It was HER Hoops Night at the Bud Cooper Gymnasium, as the Lakers recognized women at all levels of basketball. LSSU's student-athletes made a special statement for one of their own, Mackenzie (Kalchik) Paul, a Laker graduate who recently lost her fight with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. 

Howrigon said, "Kenzie was an incredible human being. She's a huge figure and adored and loved in this community as a Soo local. I know I would have loved to have coached her, lead her, and have her in this program."

She continued, "The players are all really good friends with her, and I'm excited to honor her. I'm glad our players made those t-shirts, which I thought was really incredible. They did that on their own. We're excited to honor her this weekend."

With Alumni Weekend coming up, the Lakers are excited to welcome back many greats from the past. Players who shaped the program and set the foundation for things to come will return to the Bud Cooper Gymnasium for games against Davenport on Thursday and the official Senior Day and Alumni Weekend on Saturday against Grand Valley State.

"It means a lot," Howrigon said. "It's all about legacy and tradition, and in order to build the program, I think it's important we wrap our arms around those who wore the jersey before the women that are here today, so that they understand it's bigger than them. People have paved the way for them to be here. I hope Saturday we make them proud, and I want them to come in the locker room and inspire our team and have some words with them before the game in the locker room. So definitely looking forward to having them back in the gym."

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