Jan. 31, 2008

SAULT STE. MARIE - Three-point shooters enjoyed a hot first half to give the Lake Superior State women's basketball team the early momentum, and the Lakers held on to beat Northern Michigan 73-59 on Thursday at Bud Cooper Gymnasium.

LSSU (9-12 overall, 5-8 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) fell behind 15-6 early, but led by as many as 11 points in the first half after making 7-of-9 shots from behind the arc. Freshman Katherine LaPrairie was 3-for-3 from three-point range and 4-for-4 overall to lead the Lakers with 11 first-half points. Rookie Emily Joseph added two three-pointers, and Shalyn Beauchamp and Shelle Rochon had one each.

NMU (5-15 overall, 5-7 GLIAC) closed the gap to 34-27 at halftime, but Laker freshman Allison Jaynes opened the second half with a three-pointer to give LSSU a 10-point cushion, 37-27. Jaynes hit another three-pointer at 16:39, and Jackie Armstrong added four points during a 9-0 run that gave the Lakers their biggest lead of the game, 18 points.

The Wildcats cut it to seven points, 63-56, with 4:21 remaining, but Armstrong answered with a field goal at 3:46 and two free throws at 3:06. LSSU reclaimed a double-digit lead heading into the final two minutes of play.

LaPrairie led four LSSU players in double figures with 13 points, while Armstrong finished with 12. Jaynes totaled 11 points and five rebounds. Beauchamp contributed 10 points, seven rebounds and six assists.

LSSU shot 52.3 percent from the field, including 11-of-17 from behind the arc (64.7 percent). The Lakers made 16-of-22 free throws and out-rebounded NMU, 38-27.

Eleven three-pointers ties LSSU's season high. Their previous high was 11-of-20 (55 percent) against Mercyhurst.

Steffani Stoeger scored 22 points to lead the Wildcats, who shot 39 percent from the field, including 9-of-21 from three-point range. They were 4-of-11 at the free-throw line.

The LSSU women's basketball team plays its final home game at 1 p.m. Saturday against Michigan Tech. Seniors Amanda Epolito, Danielle Makins and Beauchamp will be recognized between games.