The 6-1 Lake Superior State University Lakers men’s basketball team is ranked #16 in Division 2, per the most recent NABC voting.
Tuesday afternoon, they hosted an undefeated Minnesota-Duluth team, hailing from the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, ranked #4 nationally.
But the game was about more than winning or losing. There was no admission to the game if fans brought in non-perishable items to help fill the food pantries at LSSU and the Sault Area High School.
“This was really our first time to be able to do this. This is our ‘Laker Friendsgiving.’ We have home basketball. The Laker athletics really is all about our partnerships and our community engagements and really meet the need,” said Steve Habusta, Norris Center operations coordinator.
As for the game itself...
Kingsley Perkins powered in the shot for the first Lakers’ points of the day. Adam Harakow was strong into the lane and to the basket to tie the game up at seven.
Moments later, Tyler Jamison made the move from the top of the key and put in the floater.
Just over seven minutes left in the half, Perkins worked hard on the boards and put back the Jamison miss.
Lakers down five, Hunter Soper blocked the shot. Nino Carter-Smith pushed the ball up court, sweet bounce pass to Tyson Edmondson for the jam.
It was a close one, but the Lakers came out on top – 53-49.