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<DOCID>Laker_Men_Denied_By_16th_Ranked_Findlay.doc.txt</DOCID>
<AUTHOR>Christopher Martlew</AUTHOR>
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The young Lake State mens basketball team came into Wednesday against 16th ranked Findlay with the story of David and Goliath in mind. This story ends in a much different fashion however. 

As the game started, the Lakers were playing with great passion, resulting in good ball movement, good defense and good looks at the basket. Though working hard, the Lakers were still having trouble staying with Findlay early in the first half. But because of hard work under the boards by Ryan Khule and Mike Raider, the Lakers fought off a five point deficit to tie the game at 17 half way through the first. The Lakers, for the first time this year, were showing that they had the potential to play great basketball. Near the end of the half, the Oilers switched into a full court press with a double team on the ball handler. This allowed them to pull into a seven point lead at half, 36 to 29. At this point in the game it looked as if a major upset was present. If the Lakers could eliminate the missed shots outside of the three point line and fix the small defense problems they were having, they could continue to hang with Findlay. 

The second half was unlike anything in the first. The Lakers came out of half time looking very sloppy in their ball movement and defense. Findlay proved why they are the 16th best team in division 2. Findlay sped up its offense practially throwing the ball down court each time they got a rebound. LSSU could not get down court in time to stop the Oilers from quick attacks at the basket. It was evident in the faces of the players that they were starting to lose confidence in their ability to beat Findlay. And it was so as the Lakers lost 77 to 55. 

After the game, Coach Fitzner had to say this. The game went how I expected, and no, we did not meet my expectations by any means. We were soft and not an aggressive team tonight. Coach Fitzner said he believes his team has matured since their rather disappointing season last year, but they still need to mature more, and learn to play a tougher brand of basketball. He commented on the rest of the season and where he sees it going. This season can go one of two ways; we can learn from this loss tonight and turn around because we have the ability to do some great things. As long we have are conscious of that, Id like to see it go there. 

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