MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Lake Superior State men's basketball team shot over 50 percent from the field for the second time in as many games to protect its lead throughout the game and beat Northern Michigan 79-73 Saturday at the Berry Events Center.

LSSU (10-5 overall, 4-4 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) met the difficult challenge of beating both Upper Peninsula rivals on the road. The Lakers did it by shooting a combined 51.7 percent from the field (47-of-91) during the two games, which included a one-point victory at Michigan Tech on Thursday. 

Northern Michigan dropped to 6-9 overall and 1-7 in the GLIAC.

LSSU extended a 42-35 halftime lead to 45-35 during the opening minute of the second half. NMU answered with a 9-0 run that the Lakers finally quieted with six straight points by junior guard Kyle Hunt.

Lake Superior State led by as many as 12 points, 64-52, with 9:27 to go, but the Wildcats battled within two, 70-68. Hunt made two free throws for a 72-68 Laker edge with 1:55 remaining. After the teams traded turnovers, NMU's DeAndre Taylor hit a three-pointer, cutting LSSU's lead to 72-71.

LSSU freshman guard Derek Billing answered with a three-pointer with 1:01 remaining, and Hunt made all four free throws down the stretch. The Lakers never trailed during the second half.

Hunt was 6-of-12 from the field and 6-for-6 at the free-throw line to lead LSSU with 20 points and eight rebounds. Senior center Justin Williams totaled 13 points and five rebounds despite battling foul trouble, and senior guard Micah Hudson added 11 points. Billing and back-up center Cameron Metz, also a freshman, added nine points each. LSSU's balanced scoring also included eight points from sophomore Khalid Wells.

LSSU was 9-of-23 from three-point range and made 20-of-25 free throws. The Lakers shot over 80 percent at the free-throw line for the third time this season. They out-rebounded NMU, 30-25.

Taylor led NMU with 18 points. Four Wildcats scored in double figures. Northern Michigan shot 49 percent from the field, including 9-of-25 from three-point range, and made 16-of-23 free throws.

The Lakers play host to Lake Erie at 5:30 p.m. Thursday.

NMU vs. LSSU Box score