SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – Lake Superior State men's basketball defeated Saginaw Valley State 70-62 at Bud Cooper Gymnasium in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Conference play on Thursday evening.

Lake Superior State (4-3, 2-1 GLIAC), which was playing its first home game of the season, and Saginaw Valley State (2-6, 0-2 GLIAC) played a tightly contested first half with the Lakers holding a 37-35 lead at halftime. Junior guard Malek Adams scored 13 of his game-high 23 points in the first half, while sophomore forward Rog Stein added 10 points.

In the second half, the Laker defense limited the Cardinals to 36.4 percent shooting and 25.0 percent on three-pointers as the Lakers outscored the Cardinals 33-27 over the final 20 minutes of play to earn the 70-62 victory.

The Lakers were led offensively by Adams who scored 23 points on the night and made free throws down the stretch to close out the game. Adams has now eclipsed 20 points in the Lakers' last two games played.

Stein was strong inside – scoring 16 points and snaring a game-high 10 rebounds for his second double-double of the season.

James Toohey led the Cardinals in scoring with 18 points in the game.

The Lakers shot 52.1 percent from the field and 38.5 percent on three-point shots, while Saginaw Valley State shot 50.0 percent overall and 25.0 percent from behind the three-point line.

Lake State converted 15-of-19 free throw attempts and Saginaw Valley State made 8-of-10.

Lake Superior State returns to action against Northwood at 3 p.m. on Saturday inside Bud Cooper Gymnasium.

Tickets are available online or in-person at the LSSU ticket office. For additional ticket information, call (906) 635-2602. Children ages 13 and under are admitted to all Laker basketball games free of charge.

Be sure to follow the Lakers on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more information and behind-the-scenes action.

Watch Laker head coach Steve Hettinga's postgame interview below.