Nov. 28, 2007

MIDLAND - Lake Superior State clawed its way back from an 18-point deficit, but Northwood hung on to win the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference men's basketball opener for both teams, 72-64, Wednesday at the Bennett Center.

The Timberwolves (2-1 overall, 1-0 GLIAC) built their biggest lead, 52-34, with 11:56 remaining. LSSU's Scott Perkins hit a three-pointer at 4:22 of the second half, trimming their lead to five points, 60-55. The Lakers (0-5 overall, 0-1 GLIAC) committed two turnovers when they had chances to close within four inside the two-minute mark.

NU's Antonio Harrison was 6-of-6 from three-point range and led his team with 33 points.

Ryan Kuhl and Tim VanOudheusden led LSSU with 12 points each. Mike Rader totaled a team-high nine rebounds, while Perkins and VanOudheusden added six each.

Mark Morse, Garrett Konuszewski and Perkins contributed nine points each.

LSSU shot 37.5 percent from the field, including 7-of-27 from behind the arc, and made 9-of-13 free throws. NU shot 41.5 percent from the field, including 10-of-19 from three-point range, and made 18-of-35 free throws.

LSSU out-rebounded Northwood, 43-39.

The Lakers play host to second-ranked Grand Valley State at 3 p.m. Saturday at Bud Cooper Gymnasium.