LAKE SUPERIOR -- The Northwood University men's basketball team earned an important 88-78 win over Lake Superior State Saturday afternoon (February 19).

Northwood improves to 10-16 overall, 7-10 in the GLIAC. Lake Superior State falls to 14-10 overall, 8-9 in the GLIAC.

With the win, Northwood stands within one game of a position in the GLIAC Tournament. SVSU and LSSU are currently tied for seventh with one game ahead of the Timberwolves.

Both teams got off to a hot start shooting. The Lakers went up by as many as 11 in the opening five minutes, but Northwood chipped away at the lead, eventually cutting the LSSU lead to 47-45 at the break. Northwood finished at 63.0 percent from the floor (17-27) while the Lakers connected on 63.3 percent (19-30).

NU controlled the play in the second half, out-scoring the Lakers 24-5 in the opening 11 minutes of the half to go up 69-52. Lake Superior cut the lead to 81-75 with 1:13 remaining, but the Timberwolves made seven of their final eight free throws to put the game away.

Northwood finished at 57.7 percent from the floor for the game, making 30-52 attempts overall. The Timberwolves also went 11-20 from 3-point range (55.0 percent).

Five Timberwolves finished in double figures, led by Bobby Gibson (Harper Woods, Mich.) with 15 points. Andrew VanDierenDonck (Wyandotte, Mich./Roosevelt) scored 14 poitns, while Bobby Lewis (Saginaw, Mich./Mott CC) and Matt Wittbrodt (Flint, Mich./Ohlone CC) each added 13 points.

Northwood hosts Northern Michigan Thursday night (February 24). Game time is set for 6 p.m.