SAULT STE. MARIE - Fifth-ranked Michigan Tech slowly chipped away at Lake Superior State's early 11-point lead and defeated the Lakers 72-67 in an impressive Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference women's basketball showdown played in front of a big Bud Cooper Gymnasium crowd.

Freshman forward Maria Blazejewski totaled 15 points, five rebounds and two blocks to lead five players in double figures for LSSU (9-7 overall, 6-6 GLIAC). Emily Joseph and Cassy Schemberger both compiled 13 points and five rebounds. Nicole Marshall had 11 points and five rebounds, and Ronlea Peterson added 10 points and six rebounds. Joseph led the Lakers in assists with five.

Michigan Tech (16-1 overall, 11-1 GLIAC) trailed 33-27 at halftime and overtook the Lakers when the Huskies' Katie Zimmerman hit a three-pointer with 16:51 remaining in the game. MTU led the rest of the way, but held only a two-point edge, 59-57, with 3:29 remaining. Zimmerman canned another three-pointer, and teammate Danae Danen answered a LSSU missed three-point attempt with a field goal to put MTU up 64-57 with 2:25 to go.

Peterson's lone three-pointer of the day at the two-minute mark cut the lead to 64-60. Michigan Tech controlled the boards down the stretch to secure the win.

Katie Wysocky totaled 20 points and 11 rebounds to lead Michigan Tech, which had four double-figure scorers. Zimmerman was 4-for-7 from three-point range and added 17 points. MTU shot 45.3 percent from the field, including 7-of-17 from behind the arc, and made 17-of-23 free throws.

Michigan Tech dominates the GLIAC in offense and defense, and enjoys a league-leading average scoring margin of +19.8 points per game.

LSSU shot 40.7 percent from the field, including 4-of-14 from three-point range, and made 19-of-21 free throws. The Lakers out-rebounded the Huskies, 34-31.

Lake Superior State plays Feb. 28 at Findlay.

LSSU vs. MTU