SAULT STE. MARIE - Northwood stymied the Lake Superior State women's basketball team with its speed during the first half of Thursday's Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference game. The Lakers responded with an outstanding run during the final 15 minutes of the contest, but had to settle for a 63-53 loss.

The Timberwolves (11-2 overall, 6-3 GLIAC) were the quickest team to invade Bud Cooper Gymnasium so far this season. They built a double-digit during the first five minutes of the game and led 18-2 with 11:14 remaining in the first half. LSSU (10-7 overall, 3-6 GLIAC) cut the lead to eight points, 24-16, with five minutes to go and trailed 32-21 at halftime.

Northwood began the second half in similar fashion, expanding its lead to 48-28 during the first seven minutes. LSSU eventually turned the game around thanks to an 8-0 run that included a three-pointer by Nicole Marshall and back-to-back field goals by Jackie Armstrong and Emily Joseph.

Joseph hit a three-pointer at 3:03 and Alyssa VanderWal converted a three-point play to cut NU's lead to 60-51 with 1:45 remaining. Ronlea Peterson's wide-open three-point attempt at the 2:30 mark went in and out, keeping the Lakers from getting any closer.

Armstrong finished with 12 points and six rebounds, and Joseph followed with nine points and four assists. Marshall and Shelle Rochon scored eight points each. Peterson scored seven points and led the team in rebounds with seven.

LSSU shot 37.3 percent from the field, including 7-of-17 from three-point range. The Lakers made 2-of-7 free throws.

Jodi Ostergren totaled 17 points and 12 rebounds to lead four Northwood scorers in double figures. Sarah Glowacki added 11 points. The Timberwolves shot 40 percent from the field, including 6-of-18 from three-point range, and made 13-of-15 free throws.

NU held a 37-35 rebounding edge.

LSSU concludes a five-game homestand at 1 p.m. Saturday against Wayne State.

Box Score