SAULT STE. MARIE - Northern Michigan led Thursday's women's basketball for all but the first six minutes, but never by more than seven points. Despite staying within reach, Lake Superior State couldn't catch the Wildcats, who held on to win 58-52.

LSSU's only chance to lead during the second half was with 12:53 remaining following a blocked shot by Laura VanEs. The Lakers (5-12 overall, 4-9 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) turned the ball over while driving in the paint, and NMU's Alyssa Colla scored for a 35-32 Wildcat lead. Colla also canned a three-pointer at 7:03 to extend a three-point NMU lead to 46-40.

Northern Michigan's Lauren Gruber was 6-of-6 at the free-throw line during the final three minutes to help protect the Wildcats' lead, which was only two points with 21 seconds to go.

NMU's Nea Makela was 9-of-11 at the free-throw line and led the game with 15 points and eight rebounds. Colla finished with 14 points, and Abbey DeBruin had 12. Gruber totaled 11 points and eight rebounds.

Maria Blazejewski scored 13 points and Kandace Crittendon added 10 to lead LSSU. Crittendon also had four steals. Six Laker players totaled four rebounds each as LSSU out-rebounded NMU, 36-30.

LSSU shot 41.3 percent from the field, including 2-of-6 from three-point range, and made 12-of-17 free throws.

NMU (10-7 overall, 7-6 GLIAC) shot 35.3 percent from the field, including 4-of-18 from behind the arc, and made 18-of-21 free throws. The Wildcats led 29-24 at halftime after committing only one turnover. They totaled nine turnovers for the game.

LSSU plays host to Michigan Tech at 3 p.m. Saturday.

LSSU vs. NMU Boxscore