SAULT STE. MARIE - After falling behind by 19 points early in the second half against new Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference opponent Malone, the Lake Superior State men's basketball team turned Thursday's game into a shootout. Malone met the challenge and held on to beat LSSU, 90-83.

LSSU (2-4 overall, 0-3 GLIAC) battled within four points, 58-54, with 7:50 remaining, but Malone responded with a three-pointer by Vince Kazmierczak and two free throws by Isiah Elliott.  Malone (4-2 overall, 2-1 GLIAC) eventually extended the lead to 12 points, 74-62, with a three-point play by Cory Veldhuizen at 4:15 and a layup by Daniel Wise at 3:55.

Elliott scored 19 points and Kazmierczak added 18 point lead Malone, which had four double-figure scorers. The Pioneers shot 47.5 percent from the field, including 11-of-21 from behind the arc, and made 21-of-24 free throws.

Alex Williams led LSSU with 19 points, and Derek Billing followed with 17. Jorddan Myrick totaled 15 points, nine rebounds and and nine assists, and Derek Kinney contributed 12 points and six rebounds. LSSU shot 47.7 percent from the field, including 6-of-19 from three-point range, and made 15-of-21 free throws.

The Lakers out-rebounded Malone, 39-30.

Malone scored 11 points off 11 LSSU first-half turnovers and led 37-24 at halftime. Lake Superior State finished with 19 turnovers, while the Pioneers had 13.

Lake Superior State plays host to Walsh at 1 p.m. Saturday.

LSSU vs. Malone Boxscore