Jan. 5, 2008

SAULT STE. MARIE - Lake Superior State avenged its early-season men's basketball loss to Northwood with a 73-65 home victory on Saturday and, for the time being, moved into second place in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference North Division.

The Lakers (4-8 overall, 3-4 GLIAC), who have won three of their last four conference games, only trail No. 2-ranked Grand Valley State (16-0 overall, 5-0 GLIAC) in the divisional standings.

Matt Romatz and Ryan Kuhl had two field goals each, and Mark Morse and Micah Hudson hit three-pointers as LSSU stormed to an early 18-3 lead. The Lakers led by as many as 18 points in the first half and held a 38-21 lead at halftime. Morse scored 11 first-half points, while Kuhl was 4-for-5 from the field and had eight points.

Northwood (5-7 overall, 2-3 GLIAC) out-scored LSSU 12-4 to open the second half and cut the lead to seven points, 48-41, with 13:10 remaining. The Timberwolves cut it to four, 59-55, with 6:52 to go, but couldn't get any closer.

Kuhl hit two key jumpers, and Scott Perkins made 5-of-6 free throws to protect the Lakers' lead during the final five minutes.

Morse led Lake State with 19 points, and Kuhl had 16 points. Perkins and Romatz, a red-shirt freshman, totaled nine points each. The Lakers shot 51.9 percent from the field, including 7-of-20 from three-point range. They were 10-of-16 at the free-throw line.

Northwood, which was led by Antonio Harrison with 17 points, shot 44.6 percent from the field, including 8-of-23 from behind the arc. The Timberwolves made 7-of-13 free throws and out-rebounded the Lakers, 34-29.

LSSU travels to Hillsdale on Thursday, Jan. 10, and plays at 8 p.m.