SAULT STE. MARIE - Thursday's basketball game between Grand Valley State and Lake Superior State lived up to the defensive billing it was expected to be, but GVSU prevailed 71-62 in the first meeting between the two Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference rivals.

Five different players made second-half three-pointers to make the difference for Grand Valley State (12-3 overall, 9-2 GLIAC). Ryan Sabin was 3-of-5 to lead the way. GVSU shot 63.6 percent (7-of-11) from behind the arc during the second half.

The game was tied at halftime, 21-21, and again at the 13:20 mark of the second half, 34-34.  Sabin and Rob Woodson canned three-pointers during an 8-2 run that gave GVSU a six-point lead. Grand Valley State extended it to nine points, 49-40, on a Kristers Zeidaks layup with 7:47 remaining.

Derek Billing was 8-for-8 at the free-throw line and totaled 18 points and six steals to lead Lake Superior State (8-6 overall, 6-5 GLIAC). Derek Kinney finished with 13 points and eight rebounds. Alex Williams made 3-of-5 three-pointers and also scored 13 points. Cameron Metz finished with 11 points.

LSSU shot 41.5 percent from the field, including 6-of-16 from three-point range, and made 12-of-14 free throws.

Zeidaks led GVSU with 16 points and 10 rebounds, and Ricardo Carbajal followed with 13 points and eight rebounds. Breland Hogan scored 12 points. Grand Valley State shot 49 percent from the field, including 9-of-22 from behind the arc, and made 14-of-20 free throws. GVSU out-rebounded LSSU, 33-29.

LSSU plays host to Ferris State at 1 p.m. Saturday.

LSSU vs. GVSU Boxscore