SAULT STE. MARIE - While the first half of the Lake Superior State women's basketball team's first game of 2014 didn't start out quite the way the Lakers would have liked, the second half went according to plan.

LSSU (2-9 overall, 2-3 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) overcame a 17.9 first-half field-goal percentage to beat Lake Erie 49-37 Thursday at Bud Cooper Gymnasium. The Lakers shot a much-improved 40.9 percent during the second half by creating a a solid inside-outside attack with Raven Trammell and Laura VanEs.

VanEs posted a double double of 12 points and 12 rebounds, while Trammell led the Lakers with 19 points, seven rebounds and four steals. VanEs and Trammell combined to score 21 second-half points.

LSSU led 17-11 at halftime despite its poor shooting. Lake Erie (5-6 overall, 0-4 GLIAC) also struggled, shooting only 14.3 percent from the field during the first half and 20.4 percent for the game.

LSSU's Kandace Crittendon made a three-pointer at 14:54 of the second half to ignite a 9-0 run that gave the Lakers a 28-18 lead. LSSU's biggest lead of the game was 14 points, 38-24, following a Trammell three-pointer at 8:03.

Lake Superior State dominated the boards, 48-35. Crittendon added eight points and seven rebounds as 10 different Lakers grabbed at least one board.

LSSU shot 28 percent from the field for the game, including 6-of-25 from behind the arc, and made 15-of-17 free throws.

Daija Jones and Chrissy Delaney scored eight points each to lead Lake Erie. The Storm was 1-of-9 from behind the arc and made 14-of-18 free throws.

LSSU plays host to defending NCAA Division II champion Ashland at 1 p.m. Saturday.

LSSU-LEC Boxscore