Bulldogs build big lead and hang on to beat LSSU
BIG RAPIDS - Ferris State maintained its one-game lead over Michigan Tech in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference North Division by beating the Lake Superior State men's basketball team 73-64 Thursday.
The Bulldogs (12-7 overall, 9-3 GLIAC) built an early 20-point lead thanks to a 15-0 run midway through the first half and hung on for the win. LSSU (10-10 overall, 5-8 GLIAC), which trailed 41-27 at halftime, cut the lead the six points with 9:24 remaining in the second half.
Lake Superior State struggled to further close the gap, but narrowed the gap to 68-64 after two free throws by Derek Billing with 1:05 to go. The Lakers committed two turnovers and missed a three-point attempt as they were forced to foul during the final minute.
Billing, who was last week's GLIAC North Division Player of the Week, picked up where he left off and led the Lakers with 28 points. The sophomore guard was 5-of-11 from behind the arc and made 9-of-10 free throws. Junior forward Derek Kinney followed with 12 points.
LSSU shot 47.9 percent from the field, making 6-of-18 three-point attempts and 12-of-14 free throws.
Dontae Molden scored 20 points and Kenny Brown added 16 to lead Ferris State. The Bulldogs shot 46.2 percent from the field, including 6-of-20 from three-point range, and made 19-of-24 free throws. FSU out-rebounded LSSU, 34-22. Daniel Sutherlin and Jerrell Sanders combined to total 20 rebounds for Ferris State.
Lake Superior State plays at 3 p.m. Saturday at Grand Valley State.
