DETROIT -- Looking for a repeat of last season's regular-season finale, the Wayne State University men's basketball team (0-4, 0-1 GLIAC) dropped a close contest with an experienced Lake Superior State (4-1, 1-0 GLIAC) squad on Thursday night inside the Matthaei. WSU knocked off the 16th ranked Lakers in Motown to end the regular season last year on Senior Day.
An impressive second half saw the Warriors outscore the Lakers 43-38 and trim the deficit to four on several occasions down the stretch. LSSU, last season's GLIAC regular season champions, was able to hold on for the GLIAC opening win.
WSU started slow and trailed 6-0 four minutes into the contest.
Chuck Key (Detroit, Mich. / Cass Tech) tied the game at 6-6 with a lay-up at the 14-minute mark. However, LSSU would pull away with a 10-3 run capped by a three-pointer from Jordan Dasuqi, giving the visitors a 16-9 advantage.
Clark Bishop (Detroit, Mich. / Renaissance) split a one-and-one with 7:24 left before halftime to keep WSU close at 18-12. The Lakers would regain control extending their lead to 15 on a triple from Devin Daly with just over a minute to play in the half.
At the break, LSSU led 31-20 paced by five three-pointers while out-rebounding the Green & Gold 27-17. The Warriors shot just 28.6 percent (8-28) in the opening stanza and were 0-4 from behind the arc.
The halftime adjustments made by 14th-year head coach
David Greer and his staff began to become evident midway through the second half. The Warriors' defense began to disrupt LSSU's system and the Warriors trailed by six , 46-40, after two free throws from Key.
The Lakers looked as if they were going to turn the game into a blowout, extending the lead to 13 at the 6:35 mark after a jumper from Akaemji Williams. The resilient Warriors had other ideas and went on an 11-2 run to pull within four, 55-51, with just over four minutes to play. Three-pointers from
Gavin Toma (Troy, Mich. / Southfield Christian) and
Marcus Moore (Lansing, Mich. / Waverly) spurred the run.
Alex Williams and Bishop traded triples to keep deficit at four as the game entered the final three minutes.
The Warriors missed opportunities to cut into the Lakers' advantage and LSSU knocked down its free throws to extend lead to eight, 64-56, with 39 second left to play.
Bishop connected for his second three-pointer of the night to bring WSU within four again with 21 seconds remaining. Lake Superior executed in the final seconds and hit 6-of-8 free throws to seal the win.
WSU shot 45.2 percent (14-31) in the second half.
Toma led WSU with 20 points, while Bishop tallied 16 points to go with his nine rebounds.
Joel Ndondo (Ajax, Ont. / Christian Faith Center Academy) grabbed a career-high nine rebounds and Moore finished with 10 points. Alex Williams led LSSU with 17 points while Jake Blake finished with a game-high 10 rebounds.
The Warriors will host Northwood on Sunday at 4 PM.