Jan. 31, 2008

SAULT STE. MARIE - Lake Superior State and Northern Michigan struggled with missed shots, but LSSU won the battle at the boards to edge NMU 58-49 Thursday at Bud Cooper Gymnasium.

The Lakers, who shot 34 percent from the field, improved to 6-12 overall and 5-8 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. NMU, which shot 29.1 percent from the field, fell to 5-15 overall and 5-7 in the GLIAC.

Depending on Ferris State's outcome against Ashland, the Lakers have a chance to move up one position in the GLIAC standings and remain in contention for a GLIAC Tournament berth.

Junior Tim VanOudheusden was an impressive 7-for-14 from the field and 9-of-9 at the free-throw line to lead the Lakers with 23 points. He scored 14 points in the second half to help LSSU pull away from a 29-26 lead at intermission.

VanOudheusden cut inside and scored twice, and Scott Perkins added a jumper during a 6-0 run that gave LSSU a 46-33 lead with 8:37 remaining in the game. The Lakers led by at least eight points the rest of the way. The difference in the game was their 48-33 domination of the boards.

Laker Ryan Kuhl had a double double, totaling 13 points and 13 rebounds, while Mark Morse finished with nine points and seven rebounds. Perkins, who has been battling the flu, added nine points and five rebounds. VanOudheusden totaled six boards.

Jake Suardini led NMU with 21 points. The Wildcats were 3-for-16 from three-point range and 14-of-20 at the free-throw line.

LSSU was 5-for-12 from three-point range and 19-of-28 at the foul line.

The Lakers play host to Michigan Tech at 3 p.m. Saturday.