MARQUETTE - Lake Superior State has improved its shooting in four straight games and hit a season-high 64.4 percent from the field to beat Northern Michigan 76-61 Thursday and hold onto sole possession of first place in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference North Division men's basketball standings.

Senior Tim VanOudheusden scored 29 points, and senior Mark Morse totaled 20 points, seven rebounds and six assists to lead the Lakers (11-5 overall, 8-3 GLIAC). Seniors Ryan Kuhl and Mike Rader added nine points each.

With the exception of an 18-6 NMU run during the latter stages of the first half, Lake Superior State controlled the game. The Lakers let a 17-point first-half lead dwindle to 36-33 at halftime.

Morse canned two three-pointers, and VanOudheusden made two jumpers as LSSU opened the second half with a 12-4 run. Morse again hit two three-pointers, and Mike Rader made one during an 11-2 run that gave the Lakers a 23-point lead lead, 68-45, with 6:45 remaining in the game. 

LSSU was 29-of-45 from the field, including 10-of-21 from behind the arc. Morse was 6-of-8 from three-point range, while Rader was 3-for-4. The Lakers also made 8-of-11 free throws and out-rebounded NMU, 27-18.

Lake Superior State shot 55.7 percent (83-of-149) from the field during its last three games.

Marc Renelique totaled 11 points and five rebounds to lead NMU (9-7 overall, 4-7 GLIAC). The Wildcats shot 42.9 percent from the field, including 10-of-29 from three-point range. They made 9-of-10 free throws.

LSSU plays at Michigan Tech at 3 p.m. Saturday.

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