SAULT STE. MARIE - Lake Superior State relied on solid defense to beat an improved Ferris State women's basketball team 57-47 Thursday at Bud Cooper Gym.

The Lakers (14-5 overall, 11-2 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference), who were 17-point victors over the Bulldogs in Big Rapids on Jan. 6, limited FSU to 14 field goals and 28 percent shooting from the field for the night.

Senior guard Emily Joseph totaled 23 points, six assists and five rebounds to lead LSSU. She averaged 25.5 points per game against the Bulldogs during the regular season.

Joseph scored 13 points, Nicole Marshall and Cassy Schemberger had six each, and Maria Blazejewski added five as the Lakers made 12-of-24 field-goal attempts and built a 30-18 lead during the first half.

Ferris State (9-10 overall, 5-8 GLIAC) opened the second half with a 13-2 run that included three-pointers by Tricia Principe, Lindsey Pettit and Sarah DeShone. Rookies Laura VanEs and Jasmine Brown came off the bench and provided key baskets to help the Lakers creep out to a six-point lead, 37-31. Van Es also had an offensive rebounds, and Marshall contributed a steal and defensive board during the mini run.

Starting guard Ronlea Peterson's three-pointer with 8:51 remaining gave LSSU a 40-32 lead and seemingly ended the Bulldogs' threat. A Joseph three-pointer with 5:12 remaining made it 49-38.

Blazejewski finished with nine points, while Marshall had seven. Blazejewski and Cassy Schemberger led Laker rebounders with eight each.

Tiara Adams totaled 17 points and six rebounds to lead Ferris State. Principe added 10 points.

LSSU shot 38.5 percent from the field, including 7-of-21 from three-point range, and made 10-of-14 free throws. The Lakers out-rebounded FSU, 40-34.

The Bulldogs were 6-of-18 from behind the arc and 13-of-15 at the free-throw line.

LSSU plays host to Grand Valley State at 3 p.m. Saturday.

LSSU vs. FSU Boxscore