SAULT STE. MARIE - Senior guard Scott Perkins poured in a career-high 38 points to lead the Lake Superior State men's basketball team to a 65-60 victory over Hillsdale during Thursday's Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference opener at Bud Cooper Gymnasium.

Perkins, whose previous high of 25 points was set in December, 2007, hit a scoring surge that hasn't been matched since Ben Dewar scored 42 points in December, 2002. He was 12-of-21 from the field, including 5-of-9 from three-point range, and made 9-of-15 free throws against the Chargers. He scored 20 points in the first half, during which the Lakers trailed 32-30.

Micah Hudson scored 11 points and had four assists, and Kyle Hunt totaled 14 rebounds for LSSU (1-0 GLIAC, 2-3 overall). Derek Kinney chipped in seven points and eight rebounds. Starting guard Garrett Konuszewski sat out due to injury.

With the help of three offensive rebounds, two field goals by Hunt, and Perkins three-pointer, LSSU went on a 7-0 run and took a 42-35 lead with 15:49 remaining in the second half. The Lakers held a seven to nine-point lead throughout most of the half and went up 61-51 with 1:05 to go.

LSSU shot 40.4 percent from the field, including 6-of-21 from three-point range. The Lakers made 17-of-27 free throws and dominated the boards, 50-37.

Brent Eaton scored 18 points, and Luke Laser and Tyler Gerber added 10 each for Hillsdale (0-1 GLIAC, 0-5 overall). The Chargers shot 30.4 percent from the field, including 23.1 percent (9-of-39) in the second half. They made 6-of-26 three-point shots and 12-of-15 free throws.

LSSU plays host to defending national champion Findlay at 3 p.m. Saturday.

LSSU vs. Hillsdale