SAULT STE. MARIE - Derek Kinney scored 14 of his team-leading 18 points during the first nine minutes of Thursday's men's basketball game at Bud Cooper Gymnasium to set the tone for Lake Superior State's 74-44 victory over Northern Michigan.

Khalid Wells followed a Kinney layup with a dunk during a 23-4 game-opening run as LSSU (10-6 overall, 8-5 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) took advantage of the Wildcats' depleted roster. NMU (4-13 overall, 3-10 GLIAC) competed with only six available players.

Cameron Metz finished with 16 points for the Lakers, while Rashaun Carroll had 11 and Derek Billing 10. Kinney also led the Lakers in rebounds with nine, followed by Nic Jobe with six. Billing and Wells combined to total eight assists.

LSSU shot 54.5 percent from the field, including 6-of-16 from three-point range. The Lakers made 8-of-11 free throws and out-rebounded NMU, 38-29.

Matt Iverson scored 19 points, and Kendall Jackson totaled five points and 11 rebounds to lead NMU. The Wildcats shot 32 percent from the field, including 3-of-13 from behind the arc, and made 9-of-16 free throws.

Billing extended his perfect free-throw streak to seven games (38-of-38).

LSSU plays host to Michigan Tech at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Note: Ferris State defeated first-place Wayne State in double-overtime Thursday, handing the Warriors their first GLIAC loss. LSSU and FSU remain tied for fourth place in the GLIAC North Division with 8-5 records.

LSSU vs. NMU Boxscore