WAYNE STATE MEN'S BASKETBALL WEEKLY RELEASE

2011-12 RECORDS:
Wayne State (16-8, 13-5 GLIAC)
Lake Superior (11-13, 6-11 GLIAC)

SERIES:
WSU leads 40-21

LAST MEETING:
LSSU 64, at WSU 60 (2/24/2011)

RADIO:
WDTK 1400 AM (wdtkam.com)

VIDEO:
b2tv.com/partner_members.asp?id=23

LIVE STATS:
livestats.prestosports.com/waynestate/

GAME 25 STORYLINES

After winning two home games last week, Wayne State completes its 2011-12 regular-season schedule with a league contest at Lake Superior on Thursday.

The Warriors are tied-for-second in the GLIAC overall standings but only one-and-a-half games separate numbers two through six.

ALL-TIME SERIES

Even though LSSU has won five of the last six meetings, the Warriors hold a commanding 40-21 edge in the all-time series.

WSU has a 17-13 mark at Lake Superior, but lost the last three games played in Sault Ste. Marie.

FERRIS STATE RECAP

WSU recorded a thrilling 72-69 overtime victory over GLIAC North Division leading Ferris State on Feb. 16.

After leading 32-31 at halftime, Cole Prophet hit a triple and a jumper then Stacey Waters completed the 8-0 run with a triple.

Wayne State's lead remained between five and 11 points for the next six minutes until a dunk by Ian Larkin increased the Warrior lead to 13 (56-43).  A lay-up by Ike Udanoh ended a 7-2 FSU spurt and put the lead back to 10 (60-50) with 6:45 left.

The Bulldogs responded with seven consecutive points before an offensive rebound and dunk by Larkin made it 62-57.

Jerrell Sanders had a steal and lay-up to knot the game at 62 with 31.6 seconds left.

FSU's Donate Molden drilled a baseline triple on the first possession of overtime.  Udanoh answered with a lay-up, then made both free throws following a missed jumper by Molden.

Kenny Brown put the Bulldogs ahead 67-66 with a jumper.  Waters then hit a three to regain the lead for the Warriors.  FSU made one-of-two from the free throw line to knot the game at 69.  Waters again drilled a triple with just over 30 seconds left to put the Warriors in front 72-69.  Brown missed a three-point shot on FSU's ensuing possession and Dale Brundidge was fouled.  He missed the front end of a one-and-one, but Molden's last second three point try was well short of the basket.

GRAND VALLEY RECAP

WSU moved into a second-place tie in the overall conference standings with an 80-67 triumph over Grand Valley on Feb. 18.

Bryan Coleman's three-pointer ignited an 18-7 WSU run late in the first half.  Wayne State led 41-32 at halftime despite GVSU's James Thomas leading all players with 15 points.

Thomas scored the first five points of the second half before a triple by Larkin started a 9-0 Warrior run pushing the lead to 13 (50-37) with just over 16 minutes left.

A 10-2 Grand Valley spurt cut the WSU lead to five (52-47), but five straight Wayne State points regained a double-digit advantage (57-47) with 10:50 remaining.

GVSU would get within six (57-51) with 8:30 left, but that would be as close as they would get.

The Warriors made 10 triples and made 26-of-29 free throws (89.7 percent) for the game, and had four fewer turnovers (nine to 13) than the Lakers.

ON THE BENCH

David Greer, just the ninth head coach in 94 years of WSU basketball, is in his 11th season at WSU with a 165-137 record.

He is the fifth-longest tenured coach at WSU. The 22 victories by the Warriors in 2010-11 were the most since the 1998-99 NCAA qualifying squad compiled a 25-5 record.

Wayne State's 14 GLIAC wins last year are the most since the same 1998-99 team took first place with a 16-3 mark.

Steve Hettinga has compiled a 74-64 mark in his fifth season at Lake Superior.  His 13-year collegiate head coaching record is 169-171 which includes seven seasons at Olivet and one at MacMurray, a Division III school in Jacksonville, Ill.

SCOUTING LAKE SUPERIOR

The Lakers have lost four of their last five games and are 4-4 in home GLIAC contests this season.

Sophomore guard Derek Billing is leading the team in scoring (16.8 points per game), three-pointers made (66), assists (92) and steals (40).

Senior guard Kyle Hunt is second in both scoring (13.4 ppg) and assists (90).

Sophomore forward Cameron Metz is shooting a team-high 55.8 percent (67-of-120).

Junior forward Derek Kinney is third in scoring (1.8), but first in both rebounding (7.0 rpg) and blocked shots with 16.

GLIAC PLAYOFF PICTURE

Hillsdale has clinched the top seed, and the eight playoff teams have been determined, just not seeding.

Wayne State and Findlay enter the week tied-for-second with 13-5 league records, one-half game ahead of both Ferris State and Northwood (12-5).

Michigan Tech is currently sixth at 11-6, while both Ashland and Grand Valley have 10-8 marks.

The Warriors can be as high as the No. 2 seed with a win, but as low as the No. 6 seed with a loss.

If WSU and UF end up tied, with no North Division teams tied with them, the Oilers will receive the higher seed based on a 1-1 record against the Chargers.

If WSU and UF end up tied with at least one North Division team, the Warriors will receive the higher seed based on the Ratings Point System.