MILWAUKEE – Coming off a one-point win over Edgewood on Saturday afternoon, MSOE men's basketball needed to come out and make a statement against the NACC leading Wisconsin Lutheran Warriors. With smart offensive possessions and suffocating defense, the Raiders let the rest of the conference teams know that they are alive and well with a nine-point win on Wednesday night.

RESULTS
Wisconsin Lutheran – 69
MSOE – 78

HOW IT HAPPENED
Tonight's contest within the confines of Hotchkin Arena was one of the most entertaining seen this season, as two quality programs went at it. MSOE (7-7, 4-5 NACC) shot 48.1 percent from the field in the opening 20 minutes but got into foul trouble early. This allowed Wisconsin Lutheran (10-4, 7-2 NACC) to get to the charity stripe 12 different times, converting on nine of those opportunities. The Warriors also hit four of their nine shots from behind the arc, helping them carry over a six-point lead into the locker rooms. The lead changed hands three different times in the second half, but the Raiders pulled away for good when Kam Mitchell hit a layup and converted on the three-point play to make it 55-52 MSOE. A 10-2 Red & White run ensued, creating some separating distance that would last for the last 5:41 on the clock. MSOE shot exactly 50 percent in the second frame and forced WLC to miss 11 three pointer attempts in their biggest win of the season to date.

RAIDER REMARKS

• The Raiders were successful in two different scoring categories. They had more points in the paint than the Warriors (40-26) and were more advantageous when converting turnovers into baskets by outscoring WLC 22-16.
• Wisconsin Lutheran was held way below their season points per game average this evening, falling short of their usual 85.5.
• Even though they trailed at halftime, MSOE was in possession of the lead for 24:22 in tonight's ballgame.

MSOE STAT TRACKER
Points – Matthew Kirmse (22)
Rebounds – Matthew Kirmse & Travis Ballard (8)
Assists – Matthew Kirmse (5)
Steals – Travis Ballard (3)
Blocks – Sammy Linn (2)

WHO'S ON DECK
The Raiders will hit the hardcourt once more this Saturday, looking to make it three in a row when they take on Lakeland for a 2:00 pm road game.

For up-to-the-minute MSOE Raiders news, visit us at www.go-raiders.com. You can also follow the Red & White on Twitter @MSOE_Raiders and @msoe_raiders on Instagram.