SAULT STE. MARIE - The Lake Superior State men's basketball team got off to a 13-0 start during Thursday's 82-66 victory over Ohio Dominican, but needed all of its 18-2 run late in the second half to secure the win.

Ohio Dominican (3-9 overall, 1-6 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference cut a 13-point lead to one point, 56-55, with 9:23 remaining in the game. It was still a one-point affair two minutes later, but the tide turned after a Mike Nicholson steal led to an inspiring Alex Williams dunk at the 6:49 mark.

Alex Williams and Akaemji Williams also had steals during the Lakers' game-deciding surge. In addition to the elder and younger Williams, Nicholson, Devin Daly, Tony Harris and Jordan Dasuqi scored during the run that gave LSSU (11-2 overall, 6-1 GLIAC) a 79-62 command with 2:31 to go.

Alex Williams finished with 18 points, six assists and a career-high tying five steals. Daly was 5-for-5 from the field and totaled 13 points and five rebounds. Jake Blake scored a season-high 11 points, and Akaemji Williams added 10. Akaemji Williams reached double figures in his fourth straight game. Nicholson scored eight points and contributed two blocked shots and two steals.

Lake Superior State compiled 13 steals as a team and scored 27 points off ODU turnovers.

LSSU shot 46.2 percent from the field, including 7-of-21 from three-point range, and made 15-of-19 free throws. The Lakers made 19-of-34 field-goal attempts for 55.9 percent during the second half after leading 36-38 at halftime.

Mark Minch scored 17 points and Chad Nelson added 13 to lead Ohio Dominican. The Panthers shot 44.8 percent from the field, including 7-of-17 from three-point range, and made 5-of-14 free throws. They out-rebounded LSSU, 38-36.

The Lakers play host to Tiffin at 3 p.m. Saturday.

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