(SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich.) – A fast start helped Walsh to its first GLIAC win of the season with a 74-56 defeat of Lake Superior State on Saturday afternoon. The Cavaliers (6-3, 1-3) opened the game with an 11-0 run and led the Lakers (3-4, 0-4) from start to finish.

It did take the Cavs almost two minutes to score the first points of the game, but defensively they held the hosts off the scoreboard until the 14:17 mark of the first half when the Lakers eventually made a free throw to make the game 11-1. Walsh eventually pushed its lead to 17 points after a layup and free throw by Whitney Dabbelt (6-0, Sr., West Carrollton, OH/Archbishop Alter) made the score 28-11 with 5:25 left in the first half. At the end of the half, the Cavs led 37-21.

The start of the second half wasn't as kind to the Cavaliers as Lake Superior got back into the game. The Lakers hit five of their first eight shots to spark a 14-2 run to make the score 39-35 with 14:32 to go in the game. After both teams exchanged 3-point plays, Walsh regained control of the game as it went on a 12-3 run to take a 54-41 lead with 8:05 left.

The Cavs led by as many as 20 before a late layup set up the final score.

Walsh did an impressive job of spreading the ball around the court offensively. Only two players, Brooklyn Wooten (5-8, So., Grove City, OH/Central Crossing) with 11 points and Dabbelt with 10 points, scored in double figures, but Walsh had six others within a basket of joining them. Dabbelt was also strong in other roles aside from scoring as she had six rebounds, four of which were on the offensive end, and four steals.

Lake Superior was led by Kandace Crittendon who scored 17 points and pulled down a double-double with 14 rebounds.

The Cavs will complete their three-game road trip as they travel to St. Joseph College (Ind.) for a non-conference regional game on Wednesday. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.