Nov. 3, 2007

ANN ARBOR - Lake Superior State coach Jamie Pewinski's game plan going into the Lakers' season opener against Big Ten opponent Michigan was to test her entire lineup and make the most of depth in the post. Michigan coach Kevin Borseth made sure the Lakers couldn't establish a post game in the second half of Saturday's exhibition women's basketball game in Crisler Arena.

Michigan held LSSU scoreless during a 12:39 opening stretch of the second half to cruise to an 80-51 win. The Lakers couldn't overcome the 19 points Michigan scored off 29 turnovers, nor could they solve the impressive play of Michigan senior Janelle Cooper and former Carney High School standout Carly Benson, who combined for 34 points.

"In the second half I feel like we backed down," Pewinski said. "They came at us, and the wheels fell off."

The first half was a much different scenario.

Michigan took off to a 14-4 lead, but LSSU cut it to 14-9 when senior Shaylyn Beauchamp forced a U-M turnover that led to freshman Katherine LaPrairie's three-pointer. And Beauchamp added a three-pointer to cut the lead to 16-12.

Michigan took advantage of 12 first-half Laker turnovers and LSSU's early foul trouble, and made 16-of-33 field-goal attempts to lead 42-28. Lake Superior State's transition game steadily improved during the opening 20 minutes. LSSU also made key defensive stops as junior Alyssa Vanderwal blocked three shots, and junior Jacklyn Armstrong had five rebounds.

"I thought we played hard in the first half," Pewinski said. "I don't know if we outworked them, but we played just as hard as they did. It hurt having Ronlea (Peterson) out. We were aggressive, but it back-fired because of the foul trouble."

Early in the first half, LSSU had seven personal fouls to Michigan's zero, and Peterson had two.

Michigan's biggest first-half lead was 16 points, 37-21, but LSSU trimmed the margin to 11 with 1:23 to go. LaPrairie and senior Danielle Makins led the Lakers in the first half with eight points each.

LaPrairie finished with 15 points, while Beauchamp had nine. Peterson scored seven points in the second half.

Armstrong and LaPrairie totaled five rebounds each.

LSSU heads to East Lansing to play Michigan State at 2 p.m. Sunday.