SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. - The Lake Superior State women's basketball team (2-5, 1-0 GLIAC) opened up Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Play with a decisive 75-59 victory over the visiting Davenport Panthers (4-3, 0-1 GLIAC) on Thursday.

The Lakers got off to a fast start, quickly building a 6-2 lead with back-to-back layups from Margot Woughter (Traverse City, Mich.). Both teams would then battle to a 10-10 stalemate, but the Lakers were able to end the opening quarter with a 10-0 run to take a 20-10 lead.

The Panthers came out swinging in the second quarter of action, coming back to take a slim 27-26 lead, but the Lakers responded with a 9-2 run that was capped off with a three from Grace Bradford (Glen Arbor, Mich.) to take a 37-31 advantage into the halftime break.

The Panthers were able to get back to within two early in the third quarter before hitting a three to claim a 45-44 lead, but the Lakers kept fighting as Woughter converted on a fast break opportunity in the closing seconds of the period to take a four point lead into the final quarter.

Both teams would trade baskets early in the final quarter of action, but the Lakers were able to press the attack, icing the game away with a 15-2 run including a strong and-one opportunity from Mattison Rayman (Otsego, Mich.) as they ran away with a decisive 75-59 victory to open conference play.

Three different Lakers were able to score 20 points, led by Woughter with 21 while Rayman and Bradford were right behind her with both having a 20-point double double with 12 and ten rebounds, respectively. Meanwhile, CeCe Hacker (Omaha, Neb.) led all players with five assists. 

The Lakers return to action on Saturday, Dec. 3 when they host No. 1 Grand Valley State in Bud Cooper Gymnasium with tipoff scheduled for 1 p.m.