Two days after proving themselves superior to the NMU Wildcats, the LSSU Lady Lakers (9-12, 5-8 GLIAC) stepped onto the court to take on one of their toughest opponents thus far this year, the No. 23 ranked Michigan Tech University Huskies (16-4, 9-2 GLIAC). This was also the last home game that the Lakers would play this year, and 276 people came out to see the Lakers defend their court for the last time this season. Being the final home game all the seniors started.

It was the epitome of an edge of your seat thriller that kept everyone holding their breath to last minutes. Neither team took a commanding lead as the Lakers fought with everything they had to defend their home court for the last time this season. LSSU fought through six ties and four lead changes, with the largest spread being a mere 6 points.

The opening minutes of the game set the tone for how the rest would go; back and forth the two teams traded baskets without giving the other much room to breathe. LSSU and MTU alike played extremely tough, scrappy defense when they had their backs to the basket, as they both forced 20 turnovers on each other. Emily Joseph had three steals in just over the first 10 minutes to play, adding to LSSU’s 6 for the half.

LSSU gave a display of its tough defense in the last minute of the first half as they withstood a charge as Nicole Marshall blocked two shots in succession followed by a brilliant steal by Amanda Epolito. Jaclyn Armstrong finished the half with a bucket for two to trim the game to two points, 24-26. LSSU finished the half forcing 14 turnovers.

Shalyn Beauchamp opened up her last half at Bud Cooper with two 3 pointers in the first 2:30, both assisted by freshman Allison Jaynes, which gave LSSU a 4 point lead. Katie Wysocky from MTU hit a shot that made the fourth tie of the game with 16:26 left. The next 10 minutes consisted of a string of lead changes and a chain of hot three point shooting for MTU, that gave them a 5 point lead with a little under 5 minutes to go. LSSU was able to cut it to two with 1:22 left, but Huskie Katie Zimmerman iced the game with a three pointer that put MTU up by five with 53 seconds left. MTU held onto the lead in a tough game, to win 64-58.

“It was hard for me to believe that I’m already nearing the end of my senior season and playing at home for the last time in my career here at LSSU. There’s not a better team to play against in our final home game than our UP rival Tech. I wanted to play my heart out and have our team leave everything on the floor, which I know that’s exactly what we did.” Danielle Makins said after the game.

Beauchamp finished with 17 points, 5 assists, and 5 rebounds. Emily Joseph and Jaclyn Armstrong both ended with 15 points.

The Lakers next opponent will be a GLIAC rematch against GVSU, whom they lost to earlier in the season 66-77.

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