Jan. 5, 2004

Box Score

SAULT STE. MARIE - The Lake Superior State men's basketball team needed 20 minutes to adjust to playing without point guard Steve MacDonald, who was sidelined with the flu. By the second half, however, the Lakers had all systems firing and cruised to a 90-54 non-conference victory over Davenport on Monday at Bud Cooper Gymnasium.

LSSU (5-7) also played its fourth game without guard Joel Whymer, who has a broken thumb. Junior Adam Randall filled in for MacDonald and contributed six points, two assists and two rebounds. Senior Paul Kurtz led in assists with five, while totaling 18 points, five rebounds and three steals.

The Lakers struggled to a 35-27 halftime lead, then scored 60 second-half points. Kurtz and Lance Underwood scored 13 points each in the second half, while Scott Jamison had 10. LSSU shot 62.5 percent from the field in the second half and 60 percent for the game. The Lakers were also 9-of-17 (52.9 percent) from three-point range for the night.

Jamison led LSSU with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Evan Engle came off the bench to add 10 points, and Andrew Kearney had nine points and six rebounds.

Ryan Yoder led Davenport (0-18) with 20 points.

The Lakers play their Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference home opener against South Division contender Gannon at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. The game will be broadcast live on WSOO 1230-AM and simulcast on www.lssulakers.com.