SAULT STE. MARIE - The Grand Valley State women's basketball team battled back from a nine-point first-half deficit to lead 34-33 at halftime and held the lead throughout the final 16 minutes to beat Lake Superior State 72-63 Thursday at Bud Cooper Gymnasium.

LSSU (5-19 overall, 5-13 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) was within reach of GVSU (12-10 overall, 10-8 GLIAC) on several occasions during the second half. The Lakers trimmed an eight-point deficit to three points, 53-50, with 9:39 remaining and were within five, 57-52, with 5:37 to go.

A layup by Dani Crandall at 4:46 and a three-pointer by Kat LaPrairie at 4:09 gave Grand Valley State an insurmountable 10-point lead late in the second half.

Freshman Kelsey Ance scored in double figures for the third straight time and led LSSU with 16 points. Stephanie Fisher totaled 14 points and seven rebounds, and April LaCross scored 11 points.

LSSU played without key reserve Raven Trammell, who is injured.

LSSU shot 42.1 percent from the field, including 7-of-20 from three-point range, and made 8-of-11 free throws.

Crandall and Piper Tucker scored 18 points each to lead Grand Valley State. GVSU shot 43.6 percent from the field, including 8-of-18 from behind the arc, and made 16-of-23 free throws. The Lakers out-rebounded LSSU, 35-32.

Lake Superior State plays host to Ferris State at 1 p.m. Saturday.

LSSU-GVSU Boxscore