University Center, Mich. -- Trailing No. 24 Saginaw Valley State by a point with 32 seconds left in regulation, the Grand Valley State men's basketball team had no choice but to apply a full-court press. The Cardinals assumed a foul would be given, but the Lakers opted to trap, hoping to force a turnover. Seconds after the inbounds pass, GVSU got the steal it desperately needed, which set up its game-winning layup and provided a thrilling finish to a 71-70 victory.

The Lakers trailed by as many as eight points in the second half. At the 5:07 mark, they found themselves down 64-57. Then junior guard Aaron Hayes went to work, scoring six unanswered points to ignite a 14-6 game-ending run.

Hayes, who, due to injury, has only appeared in 12 games this season, finished with a career-high 19 points on 5-of-12 shooting. Converting back-to-back three-point plays in a 53-second span was his most important contribution of the evening.

SVSU held a 70-67 edge with 40 ticks remaining, but a layup from Hayes brought the Lakers within a point, and setting up the game-changing press.
With the assistance of a perfectly-timed trap, sophomore guard Luke Ryskamp notched his fourth steal of the game, giving him a new career high. He drove to the basket and forced up a shot that only caught the backboard. Senior guard Ryan Sabin came away with the offensive rebound and nailed a short jumper to give the Lakers a 71-70 lead with 20 seconds to go.

Garrett Hall's missed layup in the waning moments, and a last-ditch effort on a defensive rebound--which came via a missed one-and-one free throw from Hayes--by Damon Bozeman never left his hands.

In addition to his thievery, Ryskamp went 7-of-12 from the field 17 points. Junior forward Ricardo Carbajal added 14 points and eight rebounds. Sabin finished with eight points and four rebounds.

Aside from assists, GVSU dominated nearly every offensive category. The Lakers scored 19 points off of 14 SVSU turnovers, poured in 17 second-chance points, added 42 points in the paint and grabbed 13 offensive rebounds.

As a team, GVSU shot 43.3 percent (26-of-60) from the field. It made 15-of-19 free throws as well.

The win lifts the Lakers' overall record to 12-14, and keeps their postseason hopes alive. GVSU is 8-12 in league play, leaving it two gams behind Hillsdale and Walsh for the eighth and final spot in the GLIAC Tournament with two conference games remaining.

Next up for the Lakers is a tilt with Hillsdale this Saturday (Feb. 21). It will be senior day at the Fieldhouse Arena and tip off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.