LSSU prevails this time as Lakers and Cardinals again battle to the wire
SAULT STE. MARIE - Freshman guard Alex Williams, who was 5-of-7 from three-point range, factored into the Lake Superior State men's basketball team's 68-63 victory over Saginaw Valley State on Saturday at Bud Cooper Gymnasium.
LSSU's defense was arguably the deciding factor. The Lakers (6-5 overall, 1-3 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) held a team to less than 70 points for the first time in five games, which enabled them to snap a four-game losing skid. Saturday's home contest also ended a seven-game stretch of road games dating back to Nov. 18.
Williams scored 15 points, and Derek Kinney added 13 points and 11 rebounds to lead LSSU, which avenged an early-December 82-80 overtime loss to the Cardinals (4-6 overall, 1-3 GLIAC). Kyle Hunt totaled 11 points, six rebounds and six assists, and Derek Billing added 10 points, eight assists and four steals to round out a balanced Laker effort.
Williams was 3-of-5 from behind the arc during the first half, which Lake Superior State led, 28-27. The Lakers gained control early in the second half, 34-29, on a lay-up by Lucas Holt and two baskets by Billing. Mike Boylan came off the bench to make back-to-back layups for a 38-31 LSSU lead, and the Lakers extended the margin to 44-33 with 10:35 remaining on back-to-back three-pointers by Williams.
Holt and Boylan were a solid tandem in the post, combining for six points and six rebounds. They filled in for starting center Cameron Metz, who is sidelined with an injury.
Khalid Wells scored with 7:57 remaining to give the Lakers their biggest lead of the game, 50-37. SVSU steadily chipped away at the deficit during the final eight minutes, closing within three points, 61-58, with 1:10 to go. Hunt, Kinney and Billing were a combined 7-of-10 at the free-throw line during the final 40 seconds.
LSSU shot 45.8 percent from the field, including 8-of-17 from three-point range, and made 16-of-26 free throws. SVSU shot 38.9 percent from the field, including 3-of-15 from behind the arc, and was 18-of-27 at the free-throw line. Both teams totaled 36 rebounds.
LSSU plays host to Ferris State at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 5.
