SAULT STE. MARIE - Lake Superior State enjoyed a big second half, hitting 18-of-28 field-goal attempts despite losing starting guard Kyle Hunt to an injury, and beat Ashland 80-64 during Saturday's Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference men's basketball game at Bud Cooper Gymnasium.

LSSU improved to 12-5 overall and 6-4 in the GLIAC after posting its fourth straight win. Ashland dropped to 8-8 overall and 2-7 in the GLIAC.

Senior center Justin Williams matched Thursday's season high and scored 15 points against the Eagles. Sophomore forward Derek Kinney totaled 14 points and a season-high 10 rebounds for his first double double of the season.

Williams was in foul trouble throughout the first half, and Kinney got into foul trouble in the second half, but freshman Cameron Metz came through as a back-up in the post. He totaled 13 points and five rebounds, recording his highest point total against GLIAC competition.

Senior guard Micah Hudson added 12 points and four assists.

Hunt, who is the Lakers' leading scorer, suffered an injury to the face late in the first half and did not return to the game. He scored nine points. Sophomore Khalid Wells stepped in and contributed five points, three assists and a blocked shot. Freshman starting point guard Derek Billing totaled six points, six assists and two steals. Billing's assist total was also a season high against a league opponent.

LSSU led 41-27 at halftime and built a 19-point command late in the second half. The Lakers shot 53.4 percent from the field for the game, including 3-of-11 from three-point range, and made 15-of-21 free throws. They out-rebounded AU, 38-26.

Evan Yates totaled 22 points and nine rebounds to lead Ashland. The Eagles shot 43.1 percent from the field, including 6-of-21 from behind the arc. They made 14-of-20 free throws.

LSSU plays at Ohio Dominican at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 27.

LSSU vs. Ashland Boxscore