SAULT STE. MARIE - The Lake Superior State men's basketball team lost a shootout to Northwood on Dec. 3 at Midland. During Saturday's rematch at Bud Cooper Gymnasium, the Timberwolves won a defensive battle to claim a 73-58 victory and finish 2-0 against the Lakers for the season.

Northwood (17-7 overall, 12-5 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) pulled away from a 19-19 tie by closing out the final 8:29 of the first half with a 26-7 run. The Timberwolves held the Lakers (11-13 overall, 6-11 GLIAC) to eight field goals during the first half and led 45-26 at halftime.

Lake Superior State shot 26.7 percent from the field during the first half and 37.3 percent for the game. Derek Billing led the Lakers with 15 points, and Derek Kinney followed with 11. Cameron Metz added 12 points and a team-high six rebounds.

Northwood cooled off during the second half after shooting 58.6 percent (17-of-29) from the field during the first, but the Timberwolves finished over 50 percent for the game (27-of-52). Bobby Lewis and Cameron Joyce scored 16 points each to pace four double-figure scorers. Joyce also totaled seven assists.

Northwood out-rebounded LSSU, 38-28. The Timberwolves totaled 16 turnovers to LSSU's eight.

Lake Superior State plays host to Wayne State at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

LSSU vs. Northwood Boxscore