Unbeaten Wolves win U.S. hoops battle

Seven seems to be the lucky number around the Lakehead University campus these days.

On Friday the school’s hockey team stretched its winning streak to seven games, and not to be outdone, so too did the men’s basketball squad, narrowly escaping a trip south of the border with a 70-67 win over the University of Wisconsin-Stout team.

The No. 4 Thundrewolves, who trailed by eight at the half and were without start forwards Ryan Thomson and Yoosrie Salhia, who stayed in Thunder Bay to nurse injuries a week ahead of the regular-season kickoff, were paced by 16 apiece from Venzal Russell and Brendan King.

Steve Pax had an equal number of points to lead the way for UWS.

Lakehead coach Scott Morrison was dismissive of any notion that his team earned this win.

"I would be lying if I said I was happy with our play tonight. We were unfocused to start the game and missed early opportunities that we could have used later with the score tight,” Morrison said.

“Our vets have to regain the attitude we had last season when we set out to be the best 'team' on the court and to execute our gameplan each night”

The Wolves play tomorrow at Hamline University in St. Paul at 8 p.m.