Jan. 21, 2006

Stats

Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. -

Avi Fogel had a triple-double and combined with Terry Smith for 59 points, but it was not enough as Lake Superior State (2-15, 1-9 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) beat Mercyhurst (14-5, 4-5 GLIAC) in overtime, 96-94.

Fogel, a junior, had 30 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in the game.  Fogel hit 6-of-11 threes in the game and also had three steals. It was the first triple-double for a Laker since Maurice Profit had 27 points, 12 rebounds and 10 blocks against Roberts Wesleyan in 1996-97. 

Smith, meanwhile, scored 29 on 8-of-16 shooting and had four triples, four assists and three steals. 

The game featured eight ties and 16 lead changes as the two teams battled for control. 

Mercyhurst (nearly fell in regulation.  After a pair of Andy Kubinski free throws cut the lead to 77-75 with 59 seconds left, Mercyhurst fouled Mike Rader, who led LSSU with 28 points in the contest.  The freshman hit just 1-of-2 and Kubinski hit a three-pointer - his only field goal of the game - to send the game to extra time.

The 'Hurst needed another comeback in overtime, but this one came up just short despite Fogel's best efforts.  A pair of Ryan Kuhl free throws gave Lake Superior its largest lead at 92-84 with just 28 seconds to play.  Fogel hit a three to cut it to 92-87 just four seconds later.  After Mark Morse hit just 1-of-2 at the line, Fogel converted a pair of free throws and Mercyhurst trailed just 93-89 with 14 seconds left.  Kuhl went to the line again, but LSSU again came away with a make and miss.  Fogel then got Mercyhurst two quick points and the Lakers were down just three.  But Matt Miller went to the line and hit both free throws to make Fogel's sixth three of the game with one second left irrelevant.  In all the San Diego transfer had 10 of his game-high 30 in the extra period.

In addition to Rader, four other Lake Superior State players scored in double-digits.  Kuhl came off the bench for 19 on 7-of-11 shooting.  Morse scored 16, Brock Bower had 15 and Miller scored 10. 

Mercyhurst entered the game forcing over 19 turnovers per game, but generated just 12 LSSU miscues in the game.  The 'Hurst committed just 10 turnovers. 

Lake Superior State shot 50 percent in the game (30-of-60), while Mercyhurst hit just 41 percent of its shots (30-of-74).  LSSU was hot from three-point range, hitting on 13-of-24 (54 percent).    Mercyhurst hit 15 threes in the game for a 47 percent mark.

In the first half, LSSU scored four points in the final minute to claim a 40-38 advantage.  Fogel led all players with a dozen at the break, while Morse had 10 for Lake Superior. 

The final five minutes of regulation featured four ties and three lead changes as the teams vied for the win.

While Mercyhurst improved to 6-of-6 at the line in overtime, the team's free throw shooting in regulation was just 13-of-23.  LSSU hit 14-of-18 in regulation, then went 9-of-12 in the extra frame for a 77 percent mark on the contest.

Mercyhurst completed its northern swing mixed results.  On January 19, the 'Hurst defeated the GLIAC's only undefeated team, Ferris State, but then fell to Lake Superior, the conference's only winless squad.

Merychurst had three players foul out in the contest.  Kubinski, Anglum, and Cory Carson all reached the limit.

Mercyhurst will look to bounce back with one game next week.  Crosstown GLIAC rival Gannon visits the MAC for an 8:00 PM tip on January 28.