Cullen Maksimowski, LSSULakers.com

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich.— The Lake Superior State men's basketball team rode a dominate second half effort to a, 78-60, victory over Northern Michigan Thursday evening in a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tilt inside Bud Cooper Gymnasium.

The Lakers improve to 13-3 overall on the season with a 7-1 mark in league play and remain unbeaten on their home court. The Wildcats drop to 9-6, 6-2.

After heading into the break trailing NMU, 38-40, LSSU responded with a 19-0 run to open the second half and never let up. The Lake Superior defense smothered Northern holding them to just a 21.7 field goal percentage in the second half after shooting 45.5 percent in the first.

Lake State finished the contest with a 47.7 percentage from the field and a 36.4 percent mark from behind the arc. NMU finished at 35.7 and 35.5 percent for the game.

The Lakers dominated on the glass in the win owning a 40-29  advantage while also winning the turnover battle, 8-13. The LSSU bench outscored NMU, 15-12.

Senior guard Akaemji Williams led the Lakers offense with 18 points and 9 assists on the night. Blake Marquardt posted 16 points and was 4-of-6 on triple attempts.

Senior forward Michael Nicholson led the team in rebounding with nine to go along with 11 points offensively.

The Wildcats were led offensively by Isaiah Johnson who posted 16 points. Naba Echols finished with 12.

Lake State returns to action on Saturday as they host Michigan Tech at 3 p.m. Tickets are available at the Norris Center Ticket Office or online at lssulakers.com/tickets.