SAULT STE. MARIE - Lake Superior State was no match for Tiffin's superior size inside, but challenged the Dragons on the perimeter during the second half. Tiffin escaped with a 72-66 women's basketball win Saturday at Bud Cooper Gymnasium.

Tiffin (4-10 overall, 3-5 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) doubled up on LSSU on the boards, 41-22. The Dragons scored 11 second-chance points en route to taking a 33-24 halftime lead. During the second half, LSSU (6-6 overall, 2-6 GLIAC) took better advantage of Tiffin turnovers, made five three-pointers and shot a much-improved 50 percent from the field.

LSSU senior guard/forward Kandace Crittendon was a physical presence throughout the game despite being undersized at her position. She finished with nine points, four assists and four steals. Sophomore guard Mackenzie Edwards led the Lakers with 20 points, four rebounds and two steals. It was Edwards' third 20-point performance of the season.

LSSU trailed by as many as 15 points early in the second half. Back-to-back baskets by Edwards and Stephanie Fisher cut the lead to seven points, 59-52, with 3:19 remaining.

It was a six-point game, 65-59, after two free throws by Edwards with 1:16 to go. Tiffin found a way to answer every time LSSU threatened to close the gap during the final minute.

Junior April LaCross scored 13 points, and Fisher added 10 for LSSU. The Lakers shot 46.2 percent from the field for the game, including 6-of-20 from three-point range, and made 12-of-18 free throws.

Deidre McKay scored 19 points, and Bre Nauman totaled 11 points and 10 rebounds to lead Tiffin, which landed four scorers in double figures. The Dragons shot 44.4 percent from the field, including 6-of-13 from three-point range, and made 18-of-26 free throws.

LSSU begins play against the GLIAC North Division with a 5:30 p.m. contest on Jan. 15 against Saginaw Valley State.

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