SAULT STE. MARIE - A young Lake Superior State women's basketball team passed an important test against a physical Findlay team, winning the battle of the boards and shutting down the Oilers' offense to claim a 61-50 victory Saturday at Bud Cooper Gymnasium.

The Lakers (2-2 overall, 1-1 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) controlled the first half and held their lead throughout the second half. They handed Findlay (5-1 overall, 1-1 GLIAC) its first loss of the season.

LSSU cruised to a 15-5 lead during the first 12 minutes of the game and went into intermission with a 25-16 command. Findlay was 5-of-24 for 20.8 percent from the field during the first half, while LSSU shot 36 percent (9-of-25).

Nicole Marshall hit a three-pointer, and Ronlea Peterson and Maria Blazejewski hit back-to-back jumpers to give the Lakers a 15-point lead, 41-26, with 13:27 remaining in the second half.

As foul trouble plagued both teams, Findlay cut the lead to six points, 48-42, with 6:01 remaining. The Oilers missed three straight three-pointers in their attempt to convert on back-to-back LSSU turnovers. Blazejewski scored at 4:01 to make it 50-42, and Shelle Rochon converted a three-point play at 3:22 for an 11-point cushion.

Findlay cut it to six again with one minute to go, but Emily Joseph, Rochon and Peterson were a combined 6-for-6 at the free-throw line down the stretch.

Blazejewski led LSSU with 14 points, and Peterson turned in a double double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Joseph finished with 10 points and four assists, and Rochon also scored 10 points. Cassy Schemberger totaled eight rebounds.

Laura Bardall led Findlay with 18 points.

LSSU was 12-of-23 (52.2 percent) from the field in the second half and shot 43.8 percent for the game. The Lakers were 5-of-17 from three-point range and 14-of-15 at the free-throw line. They out-rebounded UF, 37-33.

Findlay shot 27.3 percent from the field, including 3-of-20 from three-point range.

LSSU plays host to Saginaw Valley State at 1 p.m. on Dec. 12.

LSSU vs. UF