Romeoville, Ill. -- A valiant effort by the Grand Valley State women's basketball team was not enough to remain undefeated at No. 2 Lewis on Sunday (Dec. 21). Despite rallying from a nine-point deficit, shooting just 38.8 percent from the field and being outrebounded 50-33, the No. 17 Lakers hung tough and pushed the unbeaten Flyers to the brink in a 78-65 loss.
 
Nine GVSU players saw game action, each one finishing with at least four points.
 
Senior forward Kat LaPrairie led the Lakers with 15 points on 5-of-9 shooting. All but one of the Rockford, Michigan native's attempts came from beyond the arc. With GVSU reeling late in the second half, it was LaPrairie's shooting that kept it within striking distance.
 
Sophomore forward Kayla Dawson was the only other Laker in double figures, tallying 10 points in 31 minutes. Dawson also dished out a career-high four assists, grabbed four rebounds and collected two steals.
 
Sophomore guard Taylor Lutz and sophomore forward Piper Tucker totaled seven points apiece, while guards Brionna Barnett and Meryl Cripe each scored six points. Junior forward Jammie Botruff and freshman center Korynn Hincka posted five-point outings and combined for 15 rebounds. Botruff grabbed eight boards, setting a new career high. Hincka added three blocks, besting her previous career high.
 
Sophomore guard Janae Langs rounded out the scoring with four points.
 
Things started well for the Lakers, who shot 45 percent in the first half. A triple from LaPrairie, layup by Tucker and a jumper from Lutz gave them an early 9-6 lead. Lewis battled back with a string of baskets, eventually building a 22-13 advantage midway through the opening frame.
 
With a 5-0 run of her own, Tucker brought the Lakers within four points just minutes later. GVSU wouldn't take the lead until the second stanza, but it never trailed by more than five points the rest of the half.
 
Following a Flyer basket a mere 34 seconds after halftime, the Lakers responded, rattling off a 13-5 run to take their first lead since the game's opening minutes. Lutz and LaPrairie combined for 11 points, including three trifectas, during the run.
 
Lewis managed to tie it up at 50-50 at the 9:31 mark, but Botruff answered with a three to put GVSU back on top. It would not be enough, however, as the Lakers went cold and scored eight points in the final seven minutes of regulation.
 
A pair of triples by LaPrairie kept GVSU within six points down the stretch, though, the Flyers closed it out by making eight free throws in the closing 72 seconds.
 
The loss drops GVSU's overall record to 7-1. It also snapped a two-game winning streak against ranked opponents.
 
The Lakers will enjoy their holiday break before returning to action on Jan. 2 at No. 11 Wayne State. Tip off in Detroit is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.