MIDLAND - Seniors Derek Billing and Cameron Metz were just a glimmer in coach Steve Hettinga's eye the last time Lake Superior State beat Northwood.

No. 25 LSSU ended an eight-game losing drought against the Timberwolves by winning Saturday's contest 82-70 in Midland. The Lakers improved to 22-3 overall and 14-3 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

LSSU avenged a 14-point Jan. 18 home loss to Northwood -- a game in which the Lakers gave up a season-high 94 points and shot a GLIAC season-low 38.5 percent from the field. This time, they held the Timberwolves below their GLIAC scoring average of 76.1 points per game and were 12-of-24 from three-point range. LSSU hit 12 three-pointers twice during its last three games.

Freshman Jordan Dasuqi came off the bench and made 3-of-4 triples for the Lakers, while junior Alex Williams made 3-of-6 and Billing 4-of-7. Colin Sekal added one three-pointer.

Billing led the Lakers with 20 points, seven assists and five rebounds. Junior Tony Harris turned in 16 points, four assists and three steals, and Metz totaled 15 points and six rebounds. Williams and Dasuqi scored 11 points each, and junior Jake Blake had a team-high 12 rebounds.

Northwood (15-10 overall, 11-6 GLIAC) led 38-35 at halftime and built a small lead during the second half. LSSU improved to 12-3 in games in which it trailed during the second half.

Lake Superior State took off on a 12-2 run to break a 52-52 tie midway through the second half. Sophomore Devin Daly led off with a layup at the 10:10 mark, and Metz followed with a dunk, free throw and layup. Dasuqi extended LSSU's lead to 62-55 with a three-pointer at 7:29, and Blake finished of the run with a tip-in. Williams, Harris and Blake all had steals that led to Laker baskets.

LSSU shot 42.9 percent from the field for the game and made 16-of-18 free throws.

Wes Wilcox totaled 23 points and 10 rebounds to lead Northwood. Will Bowles followed with 17 points and nine rebounds, and Darvin Ham had 11 points and seven rebounds. Northwood shot 45.8 percent from the field for the game, including 2-of-15 from three-point range, and made 14-of-20 free throws. The Timberwolves out-rebounded the Lakers, 38-37.

Heading into next week, the Lakers have a two-game lead over Michigan Tech in the GLIAC North Division and lead Grand Valley State and Northwood by three games. They play GVSU at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Bud Cooper Gymnasium.

NU-LSSU Boxscore