It was a game that had everything you want in a heated rivalry. Passion, intensity, skill, physicality, a hot crowd, high stakes, terrific offense, and rugged defense.

In the end, Lake Superior State (8-8, 2-5 GLIAC) lost a thriller, 77-74 to #20 Northern Michigan on Thursday night at the Bud Cooper Gymnasium in Sault Ste. Marie, MI.

Nino Carter-Smith dazzled for the Lakers, scoring 15 points, passing for eight assists, grabbing six rebounds and stealing the ball twice. The junior shot 7-of-13 in the game and was absolutely magnificent, particularly in the opening minutes of the game. Right from the start, he nabbed a rebound, hurried up the floor and dished to Omar Suleiman for a three, setting the tone early for the Lakers. Carter-Smith had four assists, a steal and a rebound in the game's first five minutes.

Even though he finished with 15 points, he only took three shots in the entire first half. But the crowd, brimming with energy for a tense game, reacted every time Carter-Smith touched the ball. He ended the first half with six assists, capping a magnificent 20 minutes with a jumper just before halftime, putting the Lakers ahead 37-27.

The Lakers limited Northern to a meager 29.6% from the field in the first half, while the hosts shot 48.4%. While Dylan Kuehl had 13 points in the first half for the Cats, the Lakers kept the opposition's offense fairly well boxed in.

But NMU shot 57.6% from the floor in the second half, and Kuehl hit a number of difficult shots en route to finishing with 31 points. It wasn't easy by any means. In a physical game where the officiating crew let both teams battle, the Lakers bodied Kuehl up, kept him away from the bucket, forced him to his off-hand and disrupted him repeatedly. But both teams continued to attack each over vigorously, with a high number of highlight plays keeping the crowd engaged to the end,

Karter Richards finished with 12 points, following up his excellent 16 point outing against Roosevelt on Saturday. He shot 5-of-7, hit both of his free throws and defended well for Lake Superior State, proving a key contributor from the bench.

Omar Suleiman scored 19 to lead LSSU and Harrison Sorrelle added nine points.

The Lakers stole the ball nine times in the game, continuously harassing NMU on the ball. Suleiman, Carter-Smith and Peter Nwoke each tallied two steals, while Sorrelle, Dominic Krzesowiak and Robin Benipal each plundered the ball once.

Lake State shot 49% from the floor and outscored Northern 42-30 in the paint. 

Next, the Lakers host fellow U.P. rival Michigan Tech on Saturday. Women's Basketball begins at 1:00 PM, with the Men's Basketball game tipping off shortly after. Buy your tickets online or at the Norris Center box office.