SAULT STE. MARIE - Lake Superior State struggled to answer Hillsdale's impressive shooting, but relied on timely surges of momentum to beat the Chargers 74-69 Saturday at Bud Cooper Gymnasium.

Hillsdale (8-6 overall, 6-4 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) appeared poised to put the men's basketball game out of reach after going up 55-44 with 10:17 remaining. Back-to-back three-pointers by Josh Goldschmidt and Alex Williams, and two free throws by Tony Harris brought the Lakers (11-3 overall, 8-2 GLIAC) within reach, 55-52.

For Williams, it was his first basket of the game. But the senior standout saved his best for the final minute of play.

LSSU eventually tied the game, 63-63, after a layup by Mike Nicholson with 3:14 to go. The game was again deadlocked, 67-67, at the 1:49 mark.

Williams missed two free throws with 1:29 remaining, but intercepted a pass during the Chargers' ensuing possession and dunked for 69-67 LSSU lead with 1:08 to go. His efforts ignited the crowd and the Laker bench. Lake Superior State secured the win during the final 16 seconds with an offensive rebound and free throw by Nicholson, and a steal and two free throws by Harris.

Harris was 5-of-10 from the field and led LSSU with a season-high 17 points, and Nicholson and Akaemji Williams followed with 14 each. Devin Daly scored 10 points. It was also a season-high for Nicholson, who had to battle Hillsdale 7-footer Jason Pretzer.

Akaemji Williams scored 10 first-half points as LSSU took a 34-29 lead into intermission.

LSSU shot 45.1 percent from the field, including 6-of-17 from three-point range, and made 22-of-32 free throws. The Lakers committed only four turnovers -- a big improvement from Thursday's 16 against Saginaw Valley State.

Kyle Cooper totaled 21 points and 10 rebounds to lead Hillsdale. Pretzer and Zach Miller added 10 points each. The Chargers shot 55.8 percent from the field, including 9-of-21 from three-point range, and made 12-of-14 free throws. They out-rebounded LSSU, 33-21.

Lake Superior State travels to Grand Valley State on Thursday.

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