SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – A hot shooting Lake Superior State University women's basketball team dug a hole for the Northern Michigan University women's basketball team on Thursday night. The Lakers shot 77.8 percent (7-9) from the arc in the first half to have a seven-point lead at the break (34-27) and extended its lead in the second half to take the game 73-59.      For the game the Lakers shot 52.3 percent (23-44) from the floor.

 

The Wildcats drop to 8-12 overall on the season and 3-9 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC). LSSU improves to 9-12 and 5-8 respectively.

 

NMU jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead about two minutes into the game. Allison Carroll hit two jumpers while Kellie Rietveld canned a three-point for the 'Cats. NMU held a 10-6 lead at 13:24 after a Steffani Stoeger jumper. In NMU's next two possessions the 'Cats received a three-pointer from Natalie Larocque and a jumper from Kelsey Deacon to extend the NMU lead to nine points (15-6). LSSU took a 17-15 lead at 9:51, but NMU would tied the game at 19-all at 7:00 on a jumper by Stoeger. NMU ended the half with back-to-back three-pointers by Deacon and Angie Leckson.

 

The Lakers extended its double-digit lead in the second half. With 7:53 left in the game Carroll cut the lead to less than 10 points with a jumper (60-52). For a little over a minute with 4:21 left in the game the 'Cats were within striking distance. Stoeger hit back-to-back jumpers before Carroll hit both ends of her free throws to make the count 66-58. The 'Cats would not make a field goal the rest of the game. 

 

Stoeger ended the game with a career-high 22 points. She led all scorers. Carroll added 4 while Deacon had 10 points. Katherine LaPrairie led the Lakers with 13 points. Carroll added a team-high five rebounds. 

 

NMU was 23-59 from the floor for the game for 39 percent. The 'Cats from the arc were 9-21 for 42.9 percent. Stoeger was 3-4 from the three-point line. NMU only made four of its 11 free throws attempts (36.4 percent). LSSU had the advantage on the boards at 38-27.

 

NMU will have a week off before its next game. The 'Cats will take a Ferris State (Feb. 7) and Grand Valley State University (Feb. 9) swing next week.