The WSU-LC Laker Basketball team came into Friday's game in the consolation bracket matched up with fellow USCAA team Southwestern Adventist University. The Lakers started slow again, by going down 8-0 to begin the game. The Knights of SWAU built their lead to as much as 12 points with 6:43 to go. Isaac Clay had different ideas as he answered the Knights lead with 7 straight points to cut the lead and give the Lakers energy they needed to get back into the game. Clay's hot start continued with 14 of his 20 points in the first half including four threes. The Lakers ended the half up 36-34 despite 9 turnovers. Lakers hit 7/14 threes in the first half.

In the second half the Lakers stayed hot from three as Zakarius Milhouse, Jordan Gorman, and Isaac Clay pierced through the zone and were consistently kicking out for threes. Quincy Green hit 5/5 from three and scored 19 points on the night. The good ball movement allowed the Lakers to build their lead to 17 points with 14:31 to go. The Lakers never lost the lead from that point on. The SWAU Knight made a run on the Lakers to cut the lead to 7, but every time the Knights made a run the Lakers had an answer. The Lakers won 76-66 over SWAU.

Inside the Box Score:

• Quincy Green, Jordan Gorman, and Isaac Clay combined for 53 points 17 rebounds, 12 assists, 5 steals on the day.
• The Lakers won the hustle points over SWAU 49-18. The Lakers had 33 points off 21 Knight turnovers.
• The Lakers hit 13/25 threes on the day
• SWAU scored 40 points in the paint compared to the Lakers 14.
• Jordan Gorman had 14 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds on his 19th birthday.

What Coach Says:

Coach Richard Westerlund said this about the game, "We obviously started slow and were very sloppy. We had 4 travels in the first five minutes just from lack of focus, but I thought Isaac Clay getting got us all going. We dominated the hustle points tonight which is the key for us in every game. We did a great job turning defense into offense scoring 33 points of 21 turnovers. Quincy Green was out of this world with his three ball. He was on fire going 5 for 5. I also thought even though Zeke didn't have guady numbers he did a lot of things to stuff a stat sheet to help us win." On what it means to win first game at Nationals, "I mean this is obviously what we came here to do. We came here to win on the biggest stage. I am extremely proud of my guys and all they've accomplished this year. Our goal now is to finish what we started and to win our last game of the year tomorrow."

What's Next:

The Lakers will take on Johnson Univeristy Florida at 3p EST in the 5th Place game.