Lakehead Host McMaster in OUA West Showdown

From Lakehead SID - HUGH MULLALLY

Media Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January19, 2012

Six Home Games This Weekend, 'Think Pink' on Saturday

THUNDER BAY, ON -

The Thunderdome will be alive with varsity athletics activity this weekend, as the men's and women's basketball teams host McMaster for a weekend series (Friday-Saturday), and the women's volleyball team hosts Queen's for 2 games (Saturday-Sunday). All of the games played on Saturday will feature 'Think Pink' fundraisers and other activities in support of breast cancer research in North Western Ontario. Game times listed below.

Men's Basketball (10-2, 1st in the OUA West)

The men take on the 9-3 McMaster Marauders, who sit 4th in the OUA West.

Orienting their offense largely on the long-ball, they rank 1st in the country in 3-point attempts (28.6 per game) and 2nd in made 3's (9.8 per game) for an average of 34.4% overall. Junior guard Victor Raso is averaging 13.5 PPG and 6 rebounds per game - he also leads the nation in free throw percentage at 93.8%. Fourth year veteran Nathan Pelech (6'4", 210 lbs) is currently shooting 44.1% from long range and leads the team in that regard. Guard Cam Michaud has also been scoring 11.2 PPG so far this season.

The key to Lakehead's success will be closing out on McMaster shooters and controlling the glass. This task could prove more difficult as the mid-season injuries are starting to take their toll, with Joey Nitichoruk out this weekend with a stomach virus, and Yoosrie Salhia (stomach flu) and Greg Carter (lower body) status' listed as questionable heading into the weekend.

Coach Scott Morrison:

"McMaster is one of the top teams in the CIS when you combine their youth with their ability to compete with the best in the CIS. In addition to their 'young guns' they offer a couple of all-star quality players in Vic Raso and Cam Michaud. We are going to have build on and learn from our previous weekend vs Laurier where we saw how important taking care of the ball on offense as well as taking care of rebounding can be."

Game time is 8 pm Friday and Saturday.

Game coverage is available via SSN webcast (www.ssncanada.ca/games) and CILU Radio, 102.7 FM andwww.luradio.ca