SAULT STE. MARIE - Lake Superior State's rebounding game came to life during the second half Thursday against Hillsdale, but the Chargers hung on to win the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference women's basketball opener for both teams, 75-74.

Hillsdale (1-0 GLIAC, 1-4 overall) controlled the boards in the first half, 23-7, and built a 39-28 halftime command. The Chargers were up by as much as 18 points, 32-14, during the first half.

Freshman center Maria Blazejewski, making her first appearance in Bud Cooper Gymnasium, scored 17 second-half points to bring the Lakers (0-1 GLIAC, 1-2 overall) into contention. Junior guard Nicole Marshall, who was scoreless during the first half, also had a strong second half and finished with 12 points.

LSSU out-scored Hillsdale 14-5 to trim a 17-point deficit to eight points, 57-49, with 10:35 remaining in the game. Ronlea Peterson converted a three-point play, and Blazejewski scored after Hillsdale missed a three-point attempt, cutting it to 66-63 with four minutes to go.

Hillsdale's final basket at 1:14 gave the Chargers a 75-69 lead. Laker Cassy Schemberger scored but failed to convert on the free throw, and Blazejewski did convert her three-point play to close out the scoring. Schemberger also blocked a shot and came up with the rebound inside the 30-second mark, but LSSU was unable to score during its final possession.

Emily Joseph finished with 10 points and 10 assists for the Lakers, while Schemberger had 10 points and six rebounds.

Brooke Knight totaled 21 points and 10 assists, and Laura Barczak had 20 points and six rebounds to lead Hillsdale. Katie Bildner totaled 12 rebounds for the Chargers, who finished with a 38-23 rebounding advantage.

LSSU shot 52.6 percent from the field, including 6-of-17 from three-point range, and made 8-of-11 free throws.

Hillsdale shot 50 percent from the field, including 2-of-8 from behind the arc, and made 11-of-17 foul shots.

The Lakers play host to Findlay at 1 p.m. Saturday.

LSSU vs. Hillsdale