DETROIT -- The Wayne State University men's basketball team (8-6 overall, 6-4 GLIAC) snapped a three-game losing streak with a 73-61 triumph over visiting Lake Superior State University (9-6 overall, 7-3 GLIAC) Saturday afternoon at the Matthaei.

The win kept the Warriors in the upper half of the GLIAC and knocked the Lakers out of a first-place tie with Findlay and Grand Valley.

The first half was back-and-forth and featured seven lead changes and four ties. The largest lead of the opening 20 minutes was six by LSSU on four occasions (20-14, 22-16, 25-19 and 27-21). WSU scored nine of the final 12 points before intermission to pull into a 30-30 deadlock as the teams headed to the locker room.

Not only was the score tied at halftime, the rebounds were nearly even (WSU 18-17) and Lake Superior had a 7-6 edge in offensive rebounds which led to an 8-6 advantage in second chance points.

WSU junior Jerry Oden (Detroit, Mich./Cass Tech) ended nearly two minutes of scoreless play to start the second half with a jumper from the paint. The guests regained the lead on a triple by Kyle Hunt on the ensuing possession.

Senior guard Bryan Wright (Warren, Ohio/Harding) answered with his second triple of the game. Oden had a tip-in after a block on the defensive end by junior Ike Udanoh (Detroit, Mich./Warren Woods Tower). Oden then finished the 7-0 run with jumper from the paint.

Laker Scott Perkins, who came in averaging 19.5 points per game, hit a three-pointer making it a three-point game 39-36 with just over 15 minutes left.

After the teams traded buckets, Wright drained back-to-back triples giving the Warriors a nine-point lead at 47-38 with just under 14 minutes remaining.

A 7-2 run by LSSU cut the visitors defict to four (49-45), but Wayne State responded with an 8-0 run. Wright had a conventional three-point play then drained his fifth triple on the hosts next trip down the court. A steal and fast-break layup by junior Bryan Smothers (Pontiac, Mich./Northern) gave the Warriors the largest lead of the game at 12 points (57-45) with 8:52 left.

The Lakers didn't quit and scored nine of the next 11 points to get within five at 59-54 with just over five minutes remaining.

Following missed scoring opportunities by both teams, Udanoh took an in-bounds pass and scored a conventional three-point play. Then after a Derek Kinney layup, Udanoh answered with a tip-in. WSU's spurt continued with a jumper by Smothers and two free throws by senior Larry Edwards (Benton Harbor, Mich.).

A big key to the second half was WSU's ability to score inside as the Warriors had an 18-6 advantage in points in the paint in the second 20 minutes.

Wayne State shot 54 percent (15-of-28) from the field in the second half, compared to 33 percent (8-of-24) for the Lakers. After committing seven turnovers in the first half, WSU had just three in the second half, while forcing LSSU into seven miscues.

Wright led all scorers with 25 points, his third game this season with at least 20 points. Oden recorded his second double-double of the campaign with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Udanoh added 14 points and three blocks.

Garrett Konuszewski scored a team-best 13 for Lake Superior, with Perkins adding 12.
Wayne State continues its homestand with a 7:30 pm tip on Thursday, Jan. 21 against Ferris State.

Notes:

WSU Post-Game Quotes

Wayne State is 6-1 at home this year.

The Warriors avenged last year's home setback (72-64) to Lake Superior.

WSU is 4-1 in GLIAC Saturday contests this year.

Wayne State is 7-2 when holding an opponent under 70 points.

This was the first game all season in which the score was tied at halftime.

The Warriors are 5-1 this year against GLIAC North Division squads.

Bryan Wright set a season-high and equaled his career-best with five triples. His 71.4 percent (5-of-7) from beyond the arc is the seventh-highest single-game percentage in school history. Wright moved into 15th place on the WSU all-time list for three-pointers made at 77. Derek Hardy (1990-93) is 14th with 79.

Larry Edwards had a season-best in both rebounds (four) and assists (seven), along with no turnovers.

Jerry Oden tied a career-high with 11 rebounds. Also had 11 boards on Jan. 29, 2009 vs. Tiffin.