MARQUETTE, Mich. - The nation's top free-throw shooting team needed every one of its free throws to beat the Northern Michigan women's basketball team 62-58 Saturday at the Berry Events Center.

The Lakers (10-4 overall, 7-1 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference), who entered the week with the nation's top free-throw percentage of 79.5, made 15-of-17 free throws against the Wildcats (7-8 overall, 2-6 GLIAC). The game came down to LSSU making 7-of-8 foul shots during the final 1:37.

Lake Superior State led 33-27 at halftime and was up by seven points, 51-44, with 4:57 remaining. Northern Michigan didn't let the Lakers put the game out of reach. LSSU's Ronlea Peterson made two free throws after NMU starter Steffani Stoeger fouled out with 36 seconds remaining. Peterson gave LSSU a 59-55 advantage.

NMU's Kellie Rietveld cut the lead to one point, 59-58, by hitting a three-pointer with 29 seconds remaining. While going for a foul, the Wildcats forced a jump ball to regain possession with 21.5 seconds to go. Laker Emily Joseph knocked the ball out of bounds at the :08.1 mark as an NMU player drove the base line.

After NMU inbounded the ball, Wildcat Staci Beckel fouled Laker Cassy Schemberger, who rebounded a missed shot by Rietveld. NMU coach Troy Mattson received a technical foul following the play.

With :01.2 seconds to go, Joseph made the two free throws as a result of the technical, and Schemberger closed out the scoring by making one of two free throws.

Schemberger led the Lakers with 23 points, tying her career high, and five rebounds. Joseph followed with 18 points and four steals. The Lakers shot 51.1 percent from the field, including 1-of-9 from three-point range.

Hillary Bowling led four Wildcats in double figures with 13 points. Chelsea Lyons totaled 10 points and nine rebounds. The Wildcats shot 42.6 percent from the field, including 7-of-20 from three-point range, and made 11-of-15 free throws. They totaled 11 turnovers during the first half and finished with 16.

Both teams totaled 26 rebounds.

LSSU plays host to Lake Erie at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Bud Cooper Gymnasium.

NMU vs. LSSU Boxscore