SAULT STE. MARIE - No. 18-ranked Lake Superior State controlled the boards 42-28 and out-scored Northern Michigan 18-4 on second-chance points to win Thursday's men's basketball game, 76-61.

Senior center Cameron Metz totaled 23 points to lead the way for LSSU (25-3 overall, 17-3 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference). Sophomore Devin Daly finished with 10 rebounds, and junior Jake Blake had eight.

Junior Alex Williams followed Metz in scoring with 15 points and added six rebounds. Senior guard Derek Billing was in foul trouble throughout the night and finished with 11 points. Rookie guard Jordan Dasuqi filled in for Billing and contributed eight points. Junior guard Tony Harris totaled nine points and four assists.

LSSU was 5-of-10 from three-point range (Williams was 2-for-3) during the first half and built a 38-24 lead. The Lakers' biggest lead of the night was 23 points.

Lake Superior State shot 47.1 percent from the field, including 7-of-19 from behind the arc, and made 21-of-28 free throws.

Marcus Hall totaled 13 points and six rebounds to lead Northern Michigan (5-19 overall, 4-16 GLIAC). Chavis Mattison followed with 12 points and eight rebounds. Ethan Blackwell scored 11 points and Justin Newell 10.

NMU shot 36.4 percent from the field for the game, including 7-of-14 from three-point range, and made 14-of-21 free throws.

With the win, LSSU clinched home-court advantage for the first round of the GLIAC Tournament and at least a share of the GLIAC North Division regular-season title. The Lakers are vying with Michigan Tech (19-5, 15-5) for the out-right championship. LSSU and MTU square off at 3 p.m. Saturday at Bud Cooper Gymnasium.

The Lakers will celebrate Senior Day and LSSU Basketball Alumni Weekend Saturday. All kids age 17-and-under will receive free admission.

LSSU-NMU Boxscore