Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. — The Northern Michigan men's basketball team fell at Lake Superior State, 65-56, Thursday evening at Cooper Gymnasium.

The Lakers jumped out to a quick 13-6 lead in the opening half of play. Donnell Cegers scored four-straight points to pull the Wildcats within three, at 13-10, by the 10:36 mark. Lake Superior State responded with a 6-0 run to grow its early lead to nine, 19-10.

Terry Nash found an open Cegers in the paint for a layup to end the Lake Superior State run with 2:50 to play. The Lakers answered with another 6-0 run to grow a 25-12 advantage with 42 seconds to play. Following an Alex Mustert defensive rebound, Naba Echols beat the buzzer with a half-court shot to send Northern Michigan to the dressing room trailing, 25-15.

Lake Superior State added to their lead early in the second half, bringing the score to 29-15 following two made lay ups. Mustert responded by completing a three-point play with a made jump shot and free throw to cut the deficit to 11, at 31-20, with 18:07 to play. A Devin Daly layup after a Wildcat turnover put the Lakers ahead, 33-20.

Later in the half, Echols knocked down a pair of free throws to cut the Laker lead to eight, at 35-27, with 14:12 to play. Lake Superior State took advantage of a few Northern Michigan missed shots to extend its lead back up to 14, 41-27. Following made jump shots from Marcus Hall and Isaiah Johnson, the Wildcats pulled within ten, at 41-31, with 11:07 to play.

But the Lakers took advantage of Wildcat missed shots to grow a 55-38 lead with 6:50 to play.  Kenny Williams gave the Wildcats some late energy by rattling off eight-straight points, highlighted by two three-point jumpers to cut the difference back to 11, at 61-50, with 2:36 to play. Brett Branstrom converted a missed Hall three pointer into a lay up to pull within eight, 63-55, with 33 seconds to play.

Echols posted a team-high 13 points while Cegers added 10 points. Mustert rounded out the top three with his nine points and seven rebounds.

With the loss, Northern Michigan moves to 5-12 (3-10 GLIAC) on the season. The Wildcats return to the floor on Saturday at Northwood with tip off set for 3 p.m.