Basketball Game Preview: Ithaca Yellowjackets vs. Michigan Lutheran Seminary Cardinals

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Previous Games

12/06/24 - Home	49-43 W
02/09/24 - Home	49-45 W
01/05/24 - Away	57-41 W
02/17/23 - Away	46-65 L
01/13/23 - Home	48-42 W
+ 5 more games

Ithaca is 9-1 against Michigan Lutheran Seminary since January of 2020 and they'll have a chance to extend that success on Friday. The Ithaca Yellowjackets are taking a road trip to square off against the Michigan Lutheran Seminary Cardinals at 7:00 p.m. Given that both suffered a loss in their last games, they both have a little extra motivation heading into this match.

Ithaca is headed into Friday's contest hungry for a win as their strong season has now been derailed by two straight losses. They took a 50-37 hit to the loss column at the hands of Nouvel Catholic Central on Friday. The game marked the Yellowjackets' lowest-scoring match so far this season.

Meanwhile, Michigan Lutheran Seminary suffered their closest defeat since February 16, 2024 on Monday. They fell just short of Heston Academy by a score of 50-48.

Ithaca will have to keep a close watch on Noah Reif and William Salgat, a pair of players who had a big impact on Michigan Lutheran Seminary's prior game. Reif went 6 for 15 on his way to 13 points and five rebounds, while Salgat went 6 of 15 en route to 14 points and five boards. The team also got some help courtesy of Zachary Scharrer, who posted six points and three steals.

Even though they lost, Michigan Lutheran Seminary smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 15 offensive boards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least ten offensive rebounds in four consecutive contests.

Michigan Lutheran Seminary's loss dropped their record down to 7-4. As for Ithaca, their defeat dropped their record down to 9-3.

Ithaca didn't have too much breathing room in their game against Michigan Lutheran Seminary when the teams last played back in December of 2024, but they still walked away with a 49-43 win. The rematch might be a little tougher for Ithaca since the team won't have the home-court advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.