ALLENDALE - Thursday's men's basketball game started late due to the officials' late arrival, included a delay due to a first-half scuffle and ended at 10:45 p.m. It also finished in Grand Valley State's favor, 75-70, as No. 23-ranked Lake Superior State started its toughest four-game road stretch of the season with a loss.

LSSU (16-3 overall, 8-3 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) controlled the game early, 15-5, but GVSU (12-3 overall, 8-3 GLIAC) scored six straight points, including four straight on free throws, when tempers flared at 12:31 of the first half. Technicals were given to LSSU's Jordan Dasuqi and Devin Daly, and GVSU's Ernijs Ansons.

The momemtum swing seemed to slow LSSU senior center Cameron Metz, who had six points, a rebound and a steal during the game's first five minutes. He drew his third foul late in the second half and was limited to 10 points for the night. Junior forward Alex Williams was also hot in the first half, scoring 16 points.

After shooting an impressive 58.3 percent from the field, LSSU led 39-32 at halftime. The Lakers maintained the lead until Grand Valley State tied it, 47-47, at 13:00 of the second half.

LSSU's Jake Blake made two free throws at 1:04 to tie it, 66-66, but GVSU's Ryan Sabin answered with a three-pointer. LSSU's Derek Billing made a layup with 25 seconds remaining. After two free throws by GVSU's Darren Kapustka, Billing missed a layup 13 seconds to go.

Williams was 4-of-5 from behind the arc and led Lake Superior State with 21 points, while Billing followed with 17. Metz and Blake scored 10 points each. Metz also led LSSU rebounders with five.

LSSU shot 51.2 percent from the field for the game, including 5-of-12 from behind the arc, and made 21-of-28 free throws. The Lakers held a 26-25 rebounding edge, but committed a season-high 20 turnovers.

GVSU's Sabin led all scorers with a season-high 28 points, and Darren Washington and Trevin Alexander had 11 each. Grand Valley shot 41.7 percent from the field, including 3-of-8 from three-point range, and made 32-of-37 free throws.

LSSU plays at 3 p.m. Saturday at Ferris State. Lake Superior State, Michigan Tech, Grand Valley State and Northwood head into Saturday in a four-way tie for first place in the GLIAC North Division. Northwood and GVSU also meet Saturday.

GVSU-LSSU Boxscore