SAULT STE. MARIE - Lake Superior State proved it has progressed since losing by 18 points at Findlay in December. The Lakers went wire to wire at home Thursday against the No. 1-ranked Oilers before falling 76-72.

LSSU (12-6 overall, 9-4 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) is 11-2 since its first loss to Findlay, which improved to 17-0 overall and 13-0 in the GLIAC with the four-point victory.

During the rematch, Lake Superior State led by as many as 13 points in the first half and took a 35-30 lead into halftime. The Lakers shot 57.7 percent from the field and held Findlay to 36.7 percent during the first 20 minutes.

Both teams shot over 50 percent from the field in the second half, but Findlay was slightly better at 60.9 percent and made 14-of-16 second-half free throws. The Lakers were 9-of-15 at the line for the game -- 8-of-14 in the second half.

Findlay's Aaron Laflin hit a three-pointer at 13:28 of the second half and made one of two free throws at 12:55 to give the Oilers their first lead of game, 45-44. The rest of the game was an exciting back-and-forth shootout that wasn't decided until UF's Nathan Hyde made two free throws that gave the Oilers a five-point advantage with eight seconds remaining.

Tim VanOudheusden scored 26 points and Ryan Kuhl added 22 to lead LSSU. Mark Morse finished with 10 points. Garrett Konuszewski and Scott Perkins combined to total 12 assists. The Lakers shot 56 percent from the field for the game, including 7-of-16 from three-point range. They out-rebounded Findlay, 28-23.

All-American Josh Bostic totaled 24 points, six rebounds and four assists to lead Findlay, which shot 47.2 percent from the field for the game, including 7-of-22 from three-point range. Prior to playing in Sault Ste. Marie, the Oilers' closest game of the year was a seven-point decision at Northwood on Jan. 10. UF averages 82.2 points per game and enjoys an average scoring margin of +21.5.

LSSU plays host to Hillsdale at 3 p.m. Saturday.

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