Timberwolves outshoot Lakers from long range
MIDLAND - Northwood made 11-of-16 three-point field-goal attempts on its home court Thursday against the league leader in field-goal percentage defense.
The Timberwolves (16-4 overall, 11-4 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) out-shot Lake Superior State from long range and at the free-throw line to win a close contest, 80-74.
Guard Emily Joseph scored a season-high 25 points and forward Jaclyn Armstrong added 20 to lead the Lakers (13-10 overall, 6-9 GLIAC). Lake Superior State also shot well throughout the game, including 55.2 percent from the field in the first half. LSSU shot 50.8 percent from the field for the game, including 7-of-14 from three-point range, and made 7-of-9 free throws.
Lake Superior State did a better job answering the Timberwolves early in the game after letting them take off to an 18-2 lead during their first meeting in mid January. In the rematch, Northwood was 8-of-9 from behind the arc and 9-of-11 at the free-throw line while building a 47-37 first-half lead.
During the first four minutes of the second half, LSSU quickly cut the lead to two points, 49-47, thanks to back-to-back three-pointers by Nicole Marshall and Joseph. Northwood answered with a 10-point run that included two three-pointers by Sarah Glowacki and one by Rachel Church. Glowacki finished with 20 points to lead four NU double-figure scorers.
Marshall hit a three-pointer with 8:38 remaining as LSSU once again cut the lead to two points, 61-59, but the Lakers missed their next five shots and fell behind by 12. It was a nine-point difference with less than a minute remaining.
Northwood shot 52.8 percent from the field and 68.8 percent from three-point range for the game. LSSU, on average, limits opponents 36.4 percent from the field. The Lakers are ranked fifth in the GLIAC in three-point field-goal percentage defense.
Marshall added 14 points for LSSU. Alyssa VanderWal had 10 rebounds as the Lakers edged the Timberwolves on the boards, 33-28. Joseph also contributed six rebounds and five assists.
LSSU plays at Wayne State at 1 p.m. Saturday. The LSSU Alumni Association and SAILS are sponsoring a social at WSU for all Laker fans between the women's and men's games.
