SAULT STE. MARIE - The Lake Superior State women's basketball team survived a back-and-forth, turnover-plagued battle with Ashland and improved to 3-1 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with Thursday's 62-59 victory.

The Lakers (4-2 overall), who went into the game ranked fourth nationally in team free-throw percentage, made 21-of-27 free throws to secure the win. They committed 19 turnovers to Ashland's 22 and shot 39.5 percent from the field.

LSSU took advantage of four straight Ashland turnovers as four Laker players combined to score 10 unanswered points for a 48-39 lead with 8:11 remaining in the second half. Ashland (3-4 overall, 1-3 GLIAC) later trimmed a 56-46 deficit to three points and trailed 58-55 with 1:10 remaining. Lakers Shelle Rochon made a field goal, and Ronlea Peterson and Emily Joseph combined to made 3-of-4 free throws to answer the Eagles down the stretch.

Joseph finished with 18 points and five assists, while Nicole Marshall totaled 17 points, including 12 in the second half. Peterson contributed nine points and six assists, and Cassy Schemberger finished with five points and seven rebounds.

LSSU shot 39.5 percent from the field, including 7-of-21 from three-point range. The Lakers out-rebounded Ashland, 32-30.

Ashland, which led 28-27 at halftime, shot 41.4 percent from the field, including 7-of-18 from behind the arc. The Eagles were 4-of-4 at the free-throw line. Point guard Lindsey Gaut led AU with 19 points, five assists and four steals.

LSSU plays host to Tiffin at 1 p.m. Saturday at Bud Cooper Gymnasium.

LSSU vs. Ashland