Guards again hit threes to bring Lakers back from 10-point deficit
ORLANDO, Fla. - Nicole Marshall, Emily Joseph and Ronlea Peterson canned three-pointers during a 13-2 run that brought the Lake Superior State women's basketball team back from a 10-point deficit midway through the second half of Saturday's game against Columbus State.
LSSU senior center Alyssa VanderWal went on to make two free throws with 19 seconds remaining to give the Lakers a 69-67 victory during the second round of the 12th annual Disney Tip-Off East Coast Classic at the Wide World of Sports Milk House.
Peterson was 4-for-9 from three-point range and led the Lakers with 15 points. Jackie Armstrong and Marshall scored 14 points each, and Joseph finished with 11. The Lakers were a combined 11-for-25 from behind the arc.
VanderWal and Armstrong were both in foul trouble, and Armstrong fouled out with 2:54 remaining in the game. As LSSU's starting centers spent time on the bench, Columbus State enjoyed a slim rebounding advantage, 43-40. VanderWal, however, totaled 12 boards, reaching double figures in rebounds for the second straight game, and blocked three shots. Armstrong and VanderWal were a combined 11-for-12 at the free-throw line.
Joseph totaled eight assists and three steals, while Marshall was 4-for-6 from three-point range and had four assists.
Columbus State (0-2) led 36-30 at halftime and built its biggest lead, 44-34, with 17:55 remaining in the second half. Peterson's three-pointer at 11:47 gave LSSU its first lead of the second half, 47-46. Lake Superior State's defense held Columbus State to a mere two free throws and no field goals during an eight-minute stretch.
Columbus State made back-to-back baskets to lead 60-56 with 4:22 to go. LSSU answered with two free throws by Armstrong and a layup by Joseph. VanderWal followed with a layup for a 62-60 Laker lead with 3:11 remaining.
LSSU led 66-63 when CSU's Chauntel Ferdinand hit a game-tying three-pointer with 1:48 remaining. Both teams were 1-for-2 during the final minute, prior to VanderWal making her game-winning free throws. Columbus State missed three shots during the final five seconds.
Phoebe Smith led Columbus State with 18 points, and Ferdinand followed with 12.
The Lakers wrap up their three-game Disney Tip-Off Tournament on Sunday. They play third-ranked Alaska-Anchorage at 2:30 p.m.
