The Ranger men's basketball team never led in a 66-52 loss to Michigan Tech in the regular season opener. The game was played as part of the GLVC-GLIAC Challenge on the campus of Lake Superior State in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, Saturday night. The game which stung, however, was the loss to host Lake Superior State the following afternoon as the team dropped a 91-89 decision, in overtime.

Versus Michigan Tech     Box Score

The Huskies, who lost to the Rangers in overtime in Somers last season, led 13-12 before going on a 7-0 run and never looking back. Michigan Tech led, 30-20 at halftime, then accelerated by scoring the first five points in the second half. The closest the Rangers would come the rest of the way was 13 points. Tech led by 23 at its greatest margin.

LaVontay Fenderson led all scorers on either side with 25 points, scoring nearly 50 percent of the Rangers' output. He was 8-18 from the floor and 9-12 from the free throw line. 

Michigan Tech shot an even 50 percent from the field, while the Rangers shot 34 percent. Tech won the battle of the boards, 42-30.

Versus Lake Superior State     Box Score

Dave Keane hit a long two-point shot with 2 seconds left in regulation play. Lake Superior State inbounded the ball, took a three-quarter court shot which failed, and many of the fans headed for the exits. That was because the scoreboard indicated the Rangers had won, 79-78.

After some confusion, it was ruled that Keane's toe was on the arc and the game was sent into overtime. In the extra session, the Rangers could never play from the lead as LSSU logged a 91-89 win. The final score was kept within a conventional hoop as DaMarcus Bell made a bucket at the overtime buzzer.

Fenderson had another stellar scoring game, this time with 30 points. He was limited to six in the first half after sitting down early with two fouls.

Bell added 20 points to the Ranger effort.

UIW-Parkside owned the boards, out-rebounding the Lakers, 38-28.

Next, the Rangers will travel to Oregon to take part in the four-team Western Oregon tournament. The Rangers will play St. Martin's in one semi-final game at 5:00 p.m. Central Standard Time on Friday, Nov. 21. The game will air live on WRJN 1400AM and on the internet by going to 'Game Day' at the top of this page, then selecting live audio. The team will play either Chico State or host Western Oregon the following day at either 7:15 p.m. or 9:30 p.m. CST. Again, the Rangers game will air live.