* WHAT'S AHEAD: Vs. New York Saints, Friday (8 p.m.) at Nassau Coliseum. After another away game Feb. 23 at Detroit, the Thunder will entertain the Pittsburgh Bulls March 2.

* WRAPUP: The Thunder (3-2) won its third straight Major Indoor Lacrosse League decision, edging New York, 15-14, Saturday before 8,109 at the Baltimore Arena. The Thunder never trailed and was ahead by as many as four goals on three occasions in the third quarter, but wound up hanging on at the end. Tim Welsh scored three goals for the Thunder and was the game's MVP. Matt Kerwick added two. Mike Cummings paced the Saints with four goals.

Former Syracuse star Paul Gait scored two goals to set a MILL single-season record of 30 in the Detroit Turbos' 14-12 win over the Philadelphia Wings yesterday before a Spectrum crowd of 16,642. The old mark of 28 was established by Brad Kotz in 1989.