UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. - Saginaw Valley State emerged as the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference North Division front runner after edging 21st-ranked Lake Superior State 56-52 on its home court Thursday.

With 17th-ranked Ferris State's eight-point loss to Michigan Tech, the Bulldogs and Cardinals are now tied for first place in the North Division with 14-2 records. The Lakers (18-4 overall, 13-3 GLIAC) are still one game out of first place heading into Saturday's contest at Hillsdale.

Timely runs have been the key to LSSU's success throughout the season, but Saginaw Valley State (18-4 overall) stuck close to the Lakers from start to finish.

The game included 12 first-half lead changes. Jordan Dasuqi of LSSU opened the second half with back-to-back three-pointers for a seven-point Laker lead, which was the biggest lead either team enjoyed during the game.

The game was tied four times during the final 11 minutes, including a 52-52 deadlock with 1:59 remaining. SVSU's final four points were free throws, while LSSU was 0-for-5 from the field and missed the front end of a one-and-one during the final two minutes.

Poor free-throw shooting prooved costly for LSSU, which finished 5-for-11 for 45.5 percent. SVSU was slightly better at 54.5 percent (12-of-22).

Dasuqi led Lake Superior State with 11 points, while Akaemji Williams followed with nine, and Jake Blake and Mike Nicholson scored eight each. LSSU shot 35.6 percent from the field and made 5-of-18 three-point attempts.

C.J. Turnage scored 15 points, Garrett Hall 12 and Caleb Davis 11 to lead SVSU, which finished 2-0 against LSSU during the regular season. The Cardinals made 6-of-17 three-point attempts and shot 40.4 percent from the field. They out-rebounded LSSU, 41-34.

LSSU plays at 3 p.m. Saturday at Hillsdale.

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