MARQUETTE - The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference's third-rated defense held Northern Michigan to a season-low tying 16 field goals to win Thursday's women's basketball game, 70-57.

LSSU (5-15 overall, 5-8 GLIAC), which went into the game prepared to play a physical opponent, held the Wildcats (11-6 overall, 8-5 GLIAC) to 30.2 percent from the field and out-rebounded NMU, 39-33.

Kandace Crittendon and Laura VanEs scored 18 points each and combined to total 19 rebounds to lead the Lakers. VanEs hit a career high in scoring and reached double figures in rebounds for the fourth time in GLIAC competition. Crittendon tied her season highs in both categories.

LSSU led 23-22 at halftime and never trailed during the second half. The game was tied 34-34 with 12:40 remaining. April LaCross hit a three-pointer to ignite a 9-2 Laker run that also included triples by Stephanie Fisher and Raven Trammell. VanEs made back-to-back baskets at 8:29 and 8:03 to extend LSSU's lead to 11 points, 50-39.

NMU closed within seven with 1:19 remaining, but LSSU was 8-of-10 at the free-throw line down the stretch.

VanEs was 8-of-13 from the field, while Crittendon was 10-of-12 at the free-throw line and led in assists with four. Fisher turned in 12 points and five rebounds.

LSSU shot 44 percent from the field, including 5-of-17 from three-point range, and made 21-of-27 free throws.

Alyssa Colla led Northern Michigan with 23 points and Nea Makela followed with 12. NMU was 4-of-26 from behind the arc and 21-of-29 at the free-throw line. The Wildcats entered the week tied for third in the GLIAC North Division, but have lost four straight.

LSSU, which snapped a three-game losing skid, plays at Michigan Tech at 1 p.m. Saturday.

NMU-LSSU Boxscore