Allendale, Mich. -- Slow starts have been tough for the Grand Valley State women's basketball team to overcome this season. Saturday (Feb. 14) night against Northwood, the Lakers did nearly everything right in the second half, but a great 20 minutes was not enough to come away with a win. GVSU shot 48.3 percent in the closing stanza, though it fell to the Timberwolves, 63-57.
 
For the fifth time in as many outings, junior guard Brionna Barnett led all Laker scorers. The Elkhart, Indiana product poured in a game-high 17 points on 6-of-16 shooting.
 
Sophomore forwards Piper Tucker and Kayla Dawson turned in efficient stat lines, combining for 22 points and going 9-of-17 from the field. The duo also teamed up for nine rebounds, four assists and five steals. A pair of blocks bolstered Tucker's final line.
 
Normally known for her offensive prowess, senior forward Kat LaPrairie turned in what may have been her best defensive performance of the season. The Rockford, Michigan native matched her career high with three steals, notched her sixth block of the season and nabbed three defensive boards.
 
For the third time in her young career, sophomore guard Taylor Lutz dished out a career-high six assists. The last time she accomplished said feat: Feb. 15, 2014 in an overtime victory versus Northwood. Lutz collected four rebounds as well.
 
The Lakers trailed the entire opening half, but a late push gave them the necessary momentum to make a charge in the second.
 
Down by 11 points at the 3:59 mark, a triple by sophomore guard Lindsay Baker got GVSU back on track. Barnett would take over the club's next two possessions, drawing a pair of fouls and cashing in on four freebies.
 
The first two minutes of the second half were dominated by Tucker. The East Lansing High School alum ran the pick-and-roll offense to perfection, making three consecutive layups to cut Northwood's lead to four points (34-30). Lutz assisted on all three buckets.
 
A layup by LaPrairie put another cut into the deficit. Branett punctuated the 13-4 half-opening run with a mid-range jumper and deep trifecta.
 
Over the next six minutes, however, Northwood regained control of the game, building a 51-43 lead by the 9:05 mark. The Lakers made one last run, eventually pulling within two points via two freebies from sophomore guard Janae Langs and four unanswered points by Dawson.
 
GVSU stayed within four points, but never had the ball with a chance to tie the game in the closing two minutes of regulation.
 
The Lakers fall to 16-7 on the year, and to 13-6 in GLIAC play. GVSU is now in a tie for second place with Northern Michigan in the GLIAC North Division. However, the Lakers' two wins over the Wildcats give them a leg up as long as the two remain tied.
 
GVSU will venture to University City, Michigan, where it will face rival Saginaw Valley State on Thursday (Feb. 19). Tip off is set for 6 p.m. ET.