PAINESVILLE, Ohio – The Lake Erie Storm women's basketball team hosted the Lake Superior State University Lakers for their home opener of the 2022-23 season. The Storm held the lead for most of the game, until the Lakers were able to tie it up early in the fourth quarter 56-56. Lake Erie remained poised, and took the win after a last second layup made by senior guard Sydney Wyngarden, set up by an absolute dime of an assist by senior guard Angela Fink. The last second score pushed the Storm ahead for a 72-71 victory. The Storm are over .500 for the first time since January 21, 2019. 

Lake Erie was led by the dynamic duo of Wyngarden and senior guard/forward Abby Matalavage. Matalavage led the way for the Storm with 20 points, while grabbing five rebounds. Wyngarden added 19 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks. Fink had a near triple-double posting eight points, eight assists, and seven rebounds. Sophomore guard Anna lbos was crucial off of the bench for the Storm in today's win out scoring the entire Lakers bench by herself, 12-5. Lake Erie held their own as the Lakers pestered to get back in the game late in the fourth quarter. The Storm relied on their defense heavily throughout the game to push them past Lake Superior State. Lake Erie was able to hold the Lakers to a mere 36% shooting from the field and an even worse 25% from behind the arch. 

While causing problems for the Lakers on the defensive end, the Storm were locked in offensively. Lake Erie shot a solid 25-55, with a 45.5 shooting percentage from the floor. The Storm shot an impressive 35% from three, and made 15 of their 20 total foul shots going 75% from the stripe.

In just his first year with the Storm, Head Coach Todd Perdas has impressed so far. Taking a small roster and matching last year's win total in just 3 games, he looks to continue to develop the team and lead them to further victories. 

The Storm head to Rochester, NY, to take on the Roberts Wesleyan Redhawks for another non-conference matchup on Tuesday, November 22nd at 6:00 PM.