ALLENDALE - No one would have faulted the Lake Superior State men's basketball team if it had needed another game or two to clinch home-court advantage for the first round of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament.

What could be harder than securing such an important win during the Grand Valley State-Ferris State road trip? The challenge didn't daunt LSSU, which hit its second-highest three-pointer total of the season to beat GVSU 80-70 on Thursday in front of 1,400 fans at the GVSU Fieldhouse.

With the win, Lake Superior State (18-6 overall, 15-4 GLIAC) swept Grand Valley State during the regular season for the first time since 1986-87 and clinched at least a share of the GLIAC North Division title. The Lakers will host a first-round playoff game on Tuesday, March 3.

LSSU, which built a 20-point halftime lead during its first meeting with Grand Valley State, got off to a similar start Thursday. The Lakers zoomed to a 21-3 lead during the first seven minutes. GVSU (17-8 overall, 12-7 GLIAC) crawled back within one point, 38-37, by halftime.

Although LSSU hit from long range throughout the game, shooting 62.5 percent (15-of-24) for the night), it was defense that decided Lake Superior State's fate down the stretch. LSSU held GVSU to nine second-half field goals.

Grand Valley State led 52-45 with 13:03 remaining in the game, but was held to one point during the next four and one-half minutes. LSSU's Kyle Hunt made a field goal and a three-pointer, Tim VanOudheusden had a layup and two free throws, and Scott Perkins added a three-pointer during a 12-2 run that gave Lake Superior State a comfortable 72-62 command with 2:51 to go.

VanOudheusden led LSSU with 24 points and five rebounds, while Perkins followed with 14 points, four assists and three steals. Garrett Konuszewski and Hunt scored 10 points each. Ryan Kuhl was held to six points, but contributed four rebounds and five assists before fouling out with 1:01 to go.

LSSU shot 52.1 percent from the field and made 15-of-17 free throws. The Lakers out-rebounded GVSU, 30-24. The Lakers' three-pointer total was second only to the school-record 22 they hit against Saginaw Valley State in January.

Pete Trammell led Grand Valley State with 22 points. GVSU shot 47.9 percent from the field and made 16-of-22 free throws. The Lakers were 8-of-13 from behind the arc.

LSSU plays at 3 p.m. Saturday at Ferris State.

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