SAULT STE. MARIE - Lake Superior State put together its best defensive effort of the season to beat Grand Valley State 69-57 Saturday at Bud Cooper Gymnasium and break up the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference North Division gridlock in men's basketball.

LSSU (7-6 overall, 2-4 GLIAC) became the second straight opponent to limit GVSU (9-4 overall, 5-2 GLIAC) to less than 60 points as Grand Valley had scored 57 during Thursday's win at Saginaw Valley State. Stymied by Lake Superior State during most of the game, GVSU didn't break the 40-point barrier until the 2:52 mark of the second half. LSSU led comfortably, 59-41, by that time.

Sophomore guard Derek Billing totaled 19 points, which is a season-high in conference play, and added eight rebounds and five assists to lead LSSU. Senior guard Kyle Hunt followed with 18 points, while junior forward Derek Kinney added 12.

Lake Superior State shot 41 percent from the field, including 9-of-19 from three-point range, and made 28-of-35 free throws. Hunt and Billing were a combined 7-of-13 from behind the arc and 16-of-18 at the free-throw line.

James Thomas totaled 16 points and nine rebounds to lead GVSU, which shot a season-low 31.6 percent from the field, including 4-of-17 from three-point range. GVSU was 17-of-23 at the free-throw line.

LSSU, which led the game from start to finish, was ahead 27-24 at halftime.

Grand Valley State entered the game tied for first place with Ferris State and Michigan Tech in the GLIAC North Division.

LSSU plays host to Michigan Tech at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

LSSU vs. GVSU Boxscore