SAULT STE. MARIE - The Lake Superior State women's basketball team defeated Northwood 64-53 Saturday at Bud Cooper Gymnasium to avenge another early-season loss and move into solid contention for a berth in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament.

The Lakers (10-14 overall, 6-11 GLIAC), who lost 66-50 at Northwood on Dec. 3, took charge early during Saturday's rematch, leading throughout the first half holding the Timberwolves to eight first-half field goals. Junior forward Maria Blazejewski scored 14 of her team-leading 22 points during the opening 20 minutes to help LSSU build a 30-19 lead.

Senior center Cassy Schemberger, who was held to seven points and seven rebounds, played only eight minutes during the second half while struggling with foul trouble. Northwood 6-3 center Savannah Stedman, who led the game with 24 points and 10 rebounds, dominated with Schemberger on the bench, but the Lakers never relinquished their lead.

Northwood (10-14 overall, 5-12 GLIAC) closed a 13-point deficit to one point, 51-50, with 4:51 to go. A steal by LSSU sophomore guard Raven Trammell led to a free throw by Sarah Cubr at 2:57. A strong defensive rebound by Cubr led to two free throws by Blazejewski at 2:25. And Trammell hit a three-pointer at 2:01 and made two free throws with 1:13 remaining for a 59-53 Laker lead. Blazejewski's layup inside the one-minute mark gave LSSU a comfortable eight-point cushion.

Trammell finished with 14 points and a career-high eight assists, and Cubr added 11 points and seven rebounds. Sophomore center Candice LaCross came off the bench and added five points and seven rebounds for the Lakers.

LSSU shot 39.2 percent from the field, including 6-of-17 from three-point range, and made 18-of-29 free throws. The Lakers out-rebounded Northwood, 39-33.

Northwood shot 40 percent from the field, including 3-of-18 from behind the arc, and made 6-of-13 free throws.

LSSU, which is 5-2 in its last seven games, closes out the regular season with home games Thursday against Wayne State and Feb. 25 against Findlay. As of press time, the Lakers are fifth in the GLIAC North Division, trailing fourth-place Grand Valley State by a half game and third-place Northern Michigan by one game.

LSSU vs. Northwood Boxscore