SAULT STE. MARIE - Knowing that a loss to Wayne State would mean the end of his collegiate basketball career, Lake Superior State senior forward set the tone for Saturday's men's basketball regular-season finale by making his first seven field-goal attempts.

Kinney scored 18 points to carry the Lakers into the lockerroom with a 37-34 halftime lead. He finished with 24 points and 10 rebounds as LSSU defeated Wayne State 72-70 and secured a berth in next week's Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament.

Wayne State (17-8 overall, 16-6 GLIAC) entered the game as the GLIAC North Division's top team. LSSU, Northwood and Saginaw Valley State in the North Division, and Ashland in the South Division were all in must-win situations, fighting for the last two of eight post-season spots.

Thanks to Kinney's early surge, LSSU (14-12 overall, 11-11 GLIAC) led from start to finish. All that slowed his momentum during the first half was an offensive foul at 8:18, but he came right back with another layup for a 25-17 lead. LSSU led 37-34 at halftime.

Lake Superior State led by as many as 11 points during the second half, but a string of jump balls and turnovers during the final two minutes gave Wayne State a chance at the end. WSU out-scored LSSU 6-1 during the final 2:19 of the game.

Alex Williams followed Kinney in scoring with 10 points. Williams and LSSU season scoring leader Derek Billing both fouled out with approximately five minutes remaining in the second half. Rashaun Carroll came of the bench, made two clutch three-pointers and finished with eight points. Cameron Metz came off the bench to total nine points and eight rebounds.

LSSU shot a season-high 61.9 percent from the field despite making only 4-of-13 three-point attempts. The Lakers were 16-of-28 at the free-throw line and out-rebounded Wayne State, 35-26.

Cole Prophet totaled 16 points and five assists to lead WSU, which had five double-figure scorers. The Warriors shot 43.6 percent from the field, including 4-of-14 from behind the arc, and made 18-of-26 free throws.

LSSU's first-round GLIAC Tournament game will be announced Sunday.

LSSU vs. WSU Boxscore