ALLENDALE - Grand Valley State took off to a 12-2 lead at the beginning of Thursday's 58-48 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference women's basketball victory over Lake Superior State, and LSSU couldn't get the defensive stop it needed after picking up the second-half scoring pace.

LSSU (7-8 overall, 3-8 GLIAC) still trailed by 10 at halftime, 28-28, then trimmed a 14-point deficit to eight points, 40-32, with 10:42 remaining. GVSU's Kat LaPrairie answered to regain her team's 10-point lead, and answered again when LSSU threatened with 8:03 to go. Kayla Dawson hit a key three-pointer to help protect Grand Valley State's lead.

Piper Tucker and Meryl Cripe scored 11 points each to finish as top scorers for GVSU (11-4 overall, 8-3 GLIAC), which held onto its second-place tie with Northwood in the GLIAC North Division. GVSU shot 38.6 percent from the field, including 4-of-16 from three-point range, and made 10-of-18 free throws.

Kandace Crittendon and Megan Manninen scored 10 points each to lead LSSU, which shot 31.3 percent from the field, including 5-of-20 from three-point range. The Lakers made 3-of-6 free throws and out-rebounded GVSU, 46-36. Crittendon led LSSU rebounders with nine, and April LaCross followed with eight.

Both teams were limited to less than 60 points in their second straight game.

LSSU plays at 1 p.m. Saturday at Ferris State.

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