DETROIT - Lake Superior State stayed within reach of 11th-ranked Wayne State on Thursday, but had no answer for Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference player of the year candidate Shareta Brown.

Brown, who paced her team to a +22 team rebound margin during the early portion of the 2014-15 season, compiled 24 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Warriors to a 71-64 victory over the Lakers.

It was the GLIAC opener for both teams.

Wayne State led 35-21 at halftime after Brown and Gabby Machado combined for 21 first-half points. LSSU trimmed a 16-point second-half deficit to seven points, 61-54, with 2:51 remaining and closed within six at the one-minute mark. Brown had three free throws and a steal during the final 56 seconds.

Kandace Crittendon scored 15 points and freshman Tamara Novic, making her second appearance of the season, added 13 points to lead the Lakers (3-1). Mackenzie Edwards finished with 14 points and five rebounds. Megan Manninen totaled six points, five assists and three steals.

WSU limited LSSU scoring leader Stephanie Fisher to six points. Fisher averages 16.5 points per game.

The Lakers shot 39.2 percent from the field, including 4-of-19 from three-point range. They made 20-of-28 free throws.

Machado added 14 points, and Des Lavita-Stephens scored 11 for Wayne State (3-0). The Warriors shot 50 percent from the field, including 4-of-11 from three-point range, and made 17-of-26 free throws. The held a 34-33 rebounding edge.

LSSU plays at Findlay at 1 p.m. Saturday. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN Radio 1400.

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