HOUGHTON - Michigan Tech, which is tied with Northwood for second place in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference men's basketball standings, had an answer to Lake Superior State's attack Saturday.

Ali Haidar totaled 35 points and nine rebounds to lead MTU to an 84-72 victory over LSSU (11-12 overall, 6-10 GLIAC). The veteran post player stayed a step ahead of of LSSU guard Derek Billing, who poured in 27 points. Billing has averaged 26.5 points per game during the Lakers' last four outings.

Michigan Tech (12-10 overall, 10-5 GLIAC) led by as many as 16 points during the first half and held a 45-33 command at halftime. The Huskies' biggest second-half lead was 14 points, 65-51, with 10:32 remaining.

A Cameron Metz dunk with 2:22 to go topped off an 8-0 Laker run and trimmed MTU's lead to three points, 72-69. The Huskies were 10-of-10 at the free-throw line down the stretch as LSSU failed to get any closer.

Metz, a sophomore center, finished with 14 points and five rebounds for his first double-figure point total since Jan. 19. Derek Kinney added 12 points and six rebounds. Lake Superior State shot 37.5 percent from the field, including 6-of-26 from three-point range, and made 18-of-23 free throws.

Alex Culy scored 18 points and Ben Stelzer had 12 to follow Haidar. Michigan Tech shot 44.2 percent from the field, including 8-of-25 from behind the arc, and made 30-of-34 free throws. MTU held a 37-36 rebounding edge.

LSSU committed only nine turnovers to MTU's seven.

Lake Superior State plays host to Northwood at 3 p.m. on Feb. 18.

MTU vs. LSSU Boxscore