SAULT STE. MARIE - Four players scored in double figures for the Lake Superior State men's basketball team, which defeated Northern Michigan 87-83 Thursday at Bud Cooper Gymnasium.

Senior Scott Perkins led the Lakers (10-6 overall, 8-3 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) with 19 points. He was scoreless in the first half, which LSSU led 39-34.

Justin Williams followed with 17 points, which tied his season high, and Garrett Konuszewski and Kyle Hunt added 15 each. Derek Kinney scored nine points and led the Lakers in rebounds with seven.

LSSU trailed for only one possession during the final 16 minutes of a hard-fought second half. NMU's Austin rowe scored on a put-back for a 67-66 Wildcat lead with 5:33 remaining in the game. Perkins immediately answered with a jumper. After NMU subsequently missed a field-goal attempt and a free throw, Perkins converted a three-point play for a 71-67 Laker lead with 4:30 left.

A Williams steal at the 3:50 mark led to a mid-court foul and a NMU bench technical, which sent Konuszewski and Kyle Hunt to the line. The Laker duo converted all four attempts to build a 75-67 LSSU lead.

Konuszewski was 6-for-6 as the Lakers made 8-of-10 free throws during the final minute of play.

LSSU shot 49.1 percent from the field, including 6-of-17 from three-point range. The Lakers made 25-of-38 free throws and out-rebounded NMU, 33-31. They committed only eight turnovers.

Marc Renelique scored 21 points and Raymont McElroy added 20 to lead Northern Michigan (7-8 overall, 4-7 GLIAC). The Wildcats shot 57.9 percent from the field, including 19-of-29 for 65.5 percent in the second half. They made 11-of-20 free throws.

LSSU plays host to Michigan Tech at 3 p.m. Saturday.

LSSU vs. NMU