SAULT STE. MARIE - Lake Superior State was no match for Saginaw Valley State's inside game and lost 76-65 Thursday at Bud Cooper Gymnasium.

The Lakers (5-15 overall, 4-12 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) did an outstanding job of protecting the ball, committing only six turnovers for the night, and played a closer game compared to their 16-point road loss in January. They didn't have an answer for SVSU 6-3 freshman center Emily Wendling, who led the Cardinals with 20 points and 14 rebounds, and guard Katelyn Carriere, who was 6-of-8 from the field and finished with 25 points.

Wendling and Carriere were a combined 22-of-27 at the free-throw line.

Lake Superior State trimmed a 15-point deficit to six points with 4:39 remaining, but missed two layups during opportunities to cut it to four. SVSU (10-10 overall, 8-8 GLIAC), which has won four straight games, regained a double-figure lead with 1:32 to go.

Samantha Zirzow added 10 points and eight rebounds for the Cardinals, who shot 41.5 percent from the field. They were 5-of-15 from three-point range and 27-of-34 at the free-throw line. They out-rebounded LSSU, 48-31.

After a scoreless first half, LSSU junior guard Raven Trammell finished with a team-high 16 points. Maria Blazejewski scored 14, followed by Kandace Crittendon with 11 and Stephanie Fisher with nine. Trammell also contributed three assists, while Taylor Greene led the Lakers in rebounds with six.

LSSU shot 38.7 percent from the field, including 4-of-13 from behind the arc, and made 13-of-22 free throws.

SVSU led at halftime, 41-27.

LSSU plays host to Northwood at 3 p.m. Saturday.

LSSU vs. SVSU Boxscore