SAULT STE. MARIE - Lake Superior State senior guard Emily Joseph scored 24 points for the second straight game against 22nd-ranked Grand Valley State, but GVSU won Saturday's physical showdown with LSSU, 76-71.

LSSU (14-6 overall, 11-3 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) and GVSU (17-4 overall, 10-4 GLIAC) split during the regular season, setting up a possible post-season tie-breaker. LSSU went into the Saturday's game ranked third in the NCAA Midwest Region, while GVSU was fourth. The rivals are also within a game of each other in the GLIAC North Division standings.

Lake Superior State opened the second half with an 8-0 run to come back from a 32-25 halftime deficit. GVSU pulled away from a 36-36 tie with a 12-3 run. A Ronlea Peterson three-pointer cut it to four points, 56-52, with 6:31 remaining, but LSSU failed to get any closer.

Joseph, who also scored 24 points against GVSU during a LSSU 79-72 overtime victory on Jan. 8, was 8-of-17 from the field Saturday. The GLIAC's top scorer made 3-of-7 three-point attempts and 5-of-6 free throws. She also contributed six assists.

Maria Blazejewski scored 11 points, and Peterson and Nicole Marshall added 10 each. Joseph, Marshall and Cassy Schemberger led LSSU rebounders with five each. LSSU shot 50 percent from the field, including 6-of-17 from three-point range. The Lakers were 11-of-16 at the free-throw line.

Briauna Taylor totaled 21 points and six rebounds to lead GVSU. Alex Stelfox followed with 16, and Brittany Taylor had 12. GVSU also shot 50 percent from the field, but was 0-for-9 from behind the arc. GVSU made 24-of-31 free throws.

LSSU plays host to Northern Michigan at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 10.

LSSU vs. GVSU Boxscore