LAKE FOREST, Ill. – The MSOE men's basketball kicked off the 2024-25 campaign just across the state border at Lake Forest College. Despite being deadlocked at the break, the Raiders ran away late in the second half behind Mason Dopirak and Carson Cordelli each scoring over 20 points to start the season on the right foot.

FINAL SCORE
MSOE RAIDERS – 97

Lake Forest - 86

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Both sides were trading baskets for the first eight minutes before Donovan Carter converted on an and-one layup to give MSOE (1-0, 0-0 NACC) a 23-19 lead. The lead grew to eight after a Jonathan Burroughs three-pointer before Lake Forest (0-1, 0-0 Midwest) tied things at 32 with just over seven minutes to play in the first half. Back-to-back three pointers from Chase Cummings and Dopirak put the Raiders back ahead by six, but the Foresters tied things at 39 just minutes before things maintained deadlocked at the break at 46.
• Burroughs helped set the tone for the second half when he nailed a three-pointer on the first possession, but the Foresters took their first lead since the 13:27 mark of the first half 52-51. Carter hit a three-pointer minutes to go back into the lead that they never let up after that. Despite the Foresters working their way to three with 8:19 remaining, a 10-0 run that was heavily impacted by eight straight points by Cordelli gave them their largest lead of the night of 18 with under two minutes to play to seal things in the opener.

MSOE STAT TRACKER
Points – Mason Dopirak (24)
Rebounds – Donovan Carter (8)
Assists – Mason Dopirak & Carson Cordelli (4)
Steals – Mason Dopirak (3)
Blocks – Jonathan Burroughs (1)

WHO'S ON DECK
The Raiders head back on the road next Wednesday, November 13^th, when they take on University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Tip-off is set for 7:00 PM.

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