SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. - The Lake Superior State (LSSU) men's basketball team (23-5, 14-4 GLIAC) grinded out a gritty 72-64 win over the Purdue Northwest Pride (6-21, 3-15 GLIAC) on Saturday.

Andy Soma (Traverse City, Mich.) got things started with a three, and Adam Harakow (Edmonton, Alta.) would then hit a three of his own to put the Lakers ahead 6-4. Both teams battled defensively, not giving an inch in the first half, but Harrison Sorrelle (Grand Haven, Mich.) and Hunter Soper (Lexington, Mich.) were each able to hit from beyond the arc to help keep pace. However, the Pride managed to take a 23-20 lead into the break.

The Lakers wasted no time setting the tone in the second half, starting off the second stanza with a 15-3 run as LSSU continued to let it fly, but Purdue Northwest continued to hang around, crawling back to within one. The Lakers were able to earn their way to several trips to the free throw line, but the Pride were able to take a slim lead with just over six minutes to play. However, clutch threes late in the game from Soper and Harakow had the Lakers back in front for good as they held on for the victory, denying the Pride's upset bid. 

Soper led the way offensively with 16 points while Kingsley Perkins (Ypsilanti, Mich.) and Harakow were right behind with 15 points each, with Perkins recording the 1,000th point of his career in the final minute of the contest. Meanwhile, Devin Womack (Ypsilanti, Mich.) also finished the day in double figures with 11.

The Lakers return to action on Thursday, Feb. 27 when they travel to face the Saginaw Valley State Cardinals with tipoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m.