SAULT STE. MARIE - The Ashland women's basketball team shut down Lake Superior State during the second half and fought back from a 14-point halftime deficit, setting the stage for an 83-75 overtime victory Saturday at Bud Cooper Gymnasium.

LSSU (11-5 overall, 8-2 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) went into the game tied with Michigan Tech for first place in the conference standings. With the loss, the Lakers dropped to second place with a half game lead over Findlay. Ashland (11-5 overall, 6-3 GLIAC) has sole possession of fourth place.

During the first half, Ashland didn't have an answer for LSSU's post tandem of Maria Blazejewski and Cassy Schemberger, who combined to score 24 points. The Eagles' top post player, Daiva Gerbec, had four points and 11 rebounds during the opening half, but was in foul trouble.

Gerbic scored five points as Ashland opened the second half with an 11-0 run and closed the gap to 40-37 with 13:46 remaining. The Eagles cut it to one on three occasions, and tied it, 59-59, with 1:13 to go.

LSSU senior guard Emily Joseph made 4-of-6 free throws during the final 36 seconds as Ashland was forced to foul after Laker guard Ronlea Peterson nailed a three-pointer at the 55-second mark. Joseph's last two free throws gave LSSU a 66-64 edge. After AU called a timeout with nine seconds left, Gerbec rebounded a missed Eagle lay-up, scored and was fouled. She missed the game-winning free throw, sending the contest into overtime.

LSSU controled the first two minutes of overtime, taking a 73-70 lead, but was 1-for-8 from the field during the final 2:46. Back-to-back jumpers by AU's Lindsay Tenyak and Elizabeth Tyler sealed the Eagles' victory.

Ashland's Jena Stutzman, who is the No. 3 scorer in the GLIAC behind Joseph and Northwood's Pam Wilson, led the game with 29 points. Gerbec finished with 13 points and 19 rebounds. The Eagles shot 43.9 percent from the field, including 6-of-16 from three-point range, and made 19-of-26 free throws. They dominated the boards, 52-38.

Blazejewski totaled 22 points and six assists to lead LSSU. Joseph and Nicole Marshall scored 16 points each, and Schemberger had 12. Marshall led Laker rebounders with nine. Peterson and Joseph combined to total 11 assists.

The Lakers shot 38.9 percent from the field, including 9-of-27 from three-point range, and made 10-of-16 free throws.

The Lakers play at Ohio Dominican at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 27.

LSSU vs. Ashland Boxscore