Lakers Finish off Thunder Wolves with Total Team Effort

Niagara, New York - The Mid Michigan Lakers took part in a two-game series this weekend, beginning with a 5pm game aginst Region III host, Niagara.  

Mid Michigan jumped out quickly, opening the first quarter on a 15–5 run sparked by three straight three-pointers from Grace Chinavare, Gracie Mellinger, and Lilly Leppert.

Niagara featured size in the post with players standing 6'3" and 6'0", but the Lakers countered with strong box-outs and team rebounding, limiting second-chance opportunities on both ends of the floor. A Delaney Seaman steal and assist to Alexus Dunn capped the first quarter and gave Mid Michigan a 19–9 advantage.

The Lakers' balanced offensive attack continued in the second quarter, pushing the lead to 15 midway through the period. Gracie Mellinger, Abbie Lautzenheiser, Katie Phillips, McKenna Pratt, Dunn, and Seaman all found the scoring column on consecutive trips down the floor. Niagara closed the half on a 6–0 run to trim the deficit, but Mid still held a comfortable 34–25 lead at the break.

Dunn opened the second half with a corner three, but Niagara answered with three quick baskets—each off long outlet passes and uncontested layups—to pull within 39–31 at the five-minute mark. The margin remained at eight for much of the quarter until Lautzenheiser knocked down back-to-back 10-foot jumpers and Chinavare finished a left-handed layup to extend the lead to 53–39.

Momentum stayed with the Lakers as Dunn buried another three off a McKenna Pratt assist, followed by a Mellinger three-point play to close the quarter with Mid Michigan ahead 59–43.

Mid Michigan put the game away in the fourth, converting drives and executing crisp inbound plays to stretch the lead to as many as 24 before securing a convincing 79–62 victory.

Gracie Mellinger led all scorers with 21 points on 9 of 13 shooting while chipping in five boards and two assists.  Delaney Seaman (14 points) and Alexus Dunn (12 points) each had solid games as well while 10 of the players for Mid Michigan scored in the contest.  Mid improves to 7-2 with the win and will play Monroe Community College on Sunday at 11am before heading back to Michigan.