SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. - Junior guard Derek Billing scored 22 second-half points on his way to a career-high 32 to lead the Lake Superior State men's basketball team to a 69-58 victory over Ferris State on Saturday at Bud Cooper Gymnasium.

With the win, LSSU (9-6 overall, 7-5 GLIAC) moved into a fourth-place tie with Ferris State (8-8 overall, 7-5 GLIAC) in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference North Division. The Lakers trail third-place Michigan Tech by one game heading into next week's home games against Northern Michigan and MTU.

Billing scored 10 points during the first half, which LSSU led, 29-22. He was 6-of-10 with four three-pointers during the second half. He was also 10-of-10 at the free-throw line for the game, extending his perfect free-throw shooting streak to six games (36-of-36).

Ferris State closed within four points, 48-44, with 10:02 remaining in the second half, but LSSU senior Nic Jobe ended a brief Bulldog run with a layup at 9:35. Billing canned three-pointers at 8:13 and 6:38, and Alex Williams added another one at 5:06 to extend the Lakers' lead to nine points, 60-51.

After a 12-0 LSSU run, the Lakers enjoyed a 16-point command with two minutes to go.

Junior center Cameron Metz totaled a season-high 16 points and led the Lakers in rebounds with 10. Senior forward Derek Kinney totaled six points and nine rebounds. Williams and sophomore Tony Harris combined for 11 assists.

LSSU shot 45.3 percent from the field, including 5-of-15 from three-point range, and made 16-of-22 free throws. The Lakers controlled the boards, 40-33.

Drew Lehman totaled 12 points and seven rebounds to lead Ferris State. Kenny Brown, who averages 16.8 points per game, was held to 10 points. The Bulldogs, who were 0-2 during this week's road trip, shot 37.7 percent from the field, including 4-of-12 from behind the arc, and made 8-of-14 free throws.

LSSU plays host to Northern Michigan at 5:30 p.m. Thursday.

LSSU vs. FSU Boxscore