HOUGHTON - Lake Superior State coach Steve Hettinga continued his winning ways in one of the most-challenging arenas in which to play.

Hettinga improved his two-year LSSU career record to 3-0 in Michigan Tech's Student Development Center Gymnasium after leading the Laker men's basketball team to a 58-51 win on Saturday. LSSU fended off a late MTU comeback after Laker starters Ryan Kuhl and Tim VanOudheusden fouled out.

VanOudheusden, who led the Lakers with 18 points, fouled out with 5:04 remaining and his team leading, 53-38. Kuhl, who finished with three points, picked up his fifth foul at 2:46. MTU's Georgio Holt reciprocated by making two free throws to cut the lead to 53-42.

Holt made a field goal, and Robby Springborn hit a three-pointer to finish off a nine-point run for the Huskies. Holt then fouled out with 1:35 to go, and LSSU's Garrett Konuszewski made two free throws to increase the Lakers' lead to eight points, 55-47.

Michigan Tech cut the lead to 56-51 with 36 seconds remaining. When the Huskies were forced to foul, Micah Hudson came through with two free throws with 32 seconds left. Two offensive dead ball rebounds and a steal by Mike Rader helped the Lakers maintain their lead during the final 20 seconds.

Rader finished with 13 points and five rebounds, and Hudson followed with 10 points and five rebounds. Scott Perkins totaled eight points, a team-high nine rebounds and three steals, while Konszewski had six points and six steals. Starter Mark Morse, who was also in foul trouble, was scoreless.

LSSU (12-5 overall, 9-3 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference), which led 31-26 at halftime, built its biggest lead, 17 points, on a back-to-back three-pointer and field goal by Perkins with 7:25 remaining in the second half.

Fedrick Bowe and Springborn scored nine points each to lead Michigan Tech (9-8 overall, 6-6 GLIAC). The Huskies shot 29 percent from the field, including 3-of-21 from three-point range, and made 12-of-21 free throws. MTU out-rebounded LSSU, 43-37.

LSSU shot 43.5 percent from the field, including 8-of-17 from three-point range, and made 10-of-19 free throws.

GLIAC North Division leader Lake Superior State plays host to No. 1-ranked Findlay at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Bud Cooper Gym.

Box Score