Allendale, Mich. -- It may not have been its best performance of the season, but the Grand Valley State men's basketball team earned a 60-54 victory over Northern Michigan, snapping a six-game losing streak. The Lakers, whose last win prior to Thursday (Feb. 5) was a 62-53 triumph against the Wildcats in Marquette, converted 25-of-27 free throws to end the skid.
 
Sophomore guard Luke Ryskamp led the way with 18 points, 14 of which came in the second half, on 5-of-9 shooting. He drained a game-high seven freebies and came within one rebound of notching a double-double. The Schoolcraft, Michigan native also dished out a game-high three assists. This marks the sixth time in GVSU's last nine games Ryskamp was its leading scorer.
 
Next in line was junior forward Ricardo Carbajal, who went 6-of-16 from the field and scored 14 points. Carbajal snared seven rebounds and came away with three steals. One of those thefts set up a breakaway dunk in the closing seconds, which abruptly ended Northern Michigan's late rally.
 
Senior guard Ryan Sabin added 12 points, however, his evening had a bittersweet ending. Prior to a free throw attempt rattling down and out with nine seconds remaining in regulation, Sabin had made 42 consecutive free throws—a school record.
 
Senior center Darren Washington nabbed nine boards, just one short of his career high. The Sterling Heights, Mich. native had the Lakers' only block as well.
 
Just when it looked as though Northern Michigan would carry the lead and momentum into halftime, it was Washington who ignited a run. Washington sank a pair of freebies, which Carbajal followed with back-to-back baskets. Ryskamp made a layup with six ticks left in the half to cap the 8-2 run, sending GVSU to the locker room with a five-point (28-23) lead.
 
Northern Michigan came out firing in the second half, and the Lakers struggled to find an answer for the first five minutes.
 
After the Wildcats had taken a one-point lead, Carbajal and Ryskamp responded with layups. Neither team would score again for five minutes and nine seconds. Ryskamp ended the drought in crowd-pleasing fashion with a four-point play. Sabin promptly followed it up with two free throws, making it 42-34 Lakers at the 6:41 mark.
 
A furious rally brought Northern Michigan within a point, but a 7-0 run, punctuated by Carbajal's uncontested jam, sealed the victory with 25 seconds to play.
 
It was the first time since Feb. 21, 2013—a 60-52 victory over Saginaw Valley State—the Lakers only needed 60 points to pick up a win.
 
The win lifts GVSU's overall record to 10-12, while its GLIAC record elevates to 6-10. The Lakers will return to action this Saturday (Feb. 7) against Michigan Tech. Tip off at the GVSU Fieldhouse Arena is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET.