Allendale, Mich. -- For the second time this season, the Grand Valley State women's basketball team faced off with Northern Michigan for second place in the GLIAC North Division. Much like the first time around, the Lakers turned in an efficient performance, trumping the Wildcats 62-58 at the Fieldhouse Arena on Thursday (Feb. 5) night.
 
Junior guard Brionna Barnett led GVSU with a team-high 16 points. Although it wasn't her cleanest night—she finished with five turnovers and went 5-of-13 from the floor—the Elkhart, Indiana native came through with baskets when the Lakers needed them most. She was 4-of-4 at the free throw line in the final 81 seconds, when Northern Michigan had cut a 10-point deficit to just three.
 
With nine points in the second half, sophomore forward Piper Tucker totaled 11 points, seven rebounds and three steals. Junior forward Jammie Botruff was not far behind. The Gladstone, Michigan product pitched in 10 points and was 4-of-6 from the field.
 
Two other Lakers—senior forward Kat LaPrairie and sophomore forward Kayla Dawson—recorded career highs. LaPrairie notched three steals, matching her career best for a fourth time. Dawson dished out six assists, topping her previous career high of four, which came earlier this season in a loss at No. 2 Lewis. She added nine points and four rebounds, while LaPrairie scored seven points on 3-of-4 shooting.
 
Collectively, the Lakers shot 42.9 percent (21-of-49) overall and from three-point range (6-of-14). The GVSU bench also outscored the Wildcat reserves 16-2.
 
The evening did not get off to a grand start for the Lakers, though. It took nearly three minutes for them to get on the scoreboard, and another four-plus minutes before they could grab a lead.
 
Barnett's deep triple, her only attempt from distance all night, and mid-range jumper put the Lakers out in front 12-11 at the 12:28 mark. Freshman center Korynn Hincka and LaPrairie capped the 9-0 run with back-to-back jumpers.
 
A quick run by Northern Michigan leveled the score, but Botruff rattled home a three to retake the lead. Her trifecta was the first basket in GVSU's 15-8 half-ending run.
 
Roughly three minutes into the second frame, Barnett's triple and layup pushed its advantage back to 10 points, though the Wildcats constantly clawed their way back into the game, coming within four points of a tie on five different occasions in the final 15 minutes. They even managed to make it a two-point game with 25 seconds remaining, but Tucker knocked down a pair of freebies to shut the door on their comeback attempt.
 
The win lifts GVSU's overall record to 15-5, while its GLIAC record rises to 12-4. The Lakers also tightened their grip on second place in the GLIAC North, increasing their edge on Northern Michigan and Hillsdale to two games.
 
GVSU will take on Michigan Tech, which leads the division by three games, Saturday (Feb. 7) afternoon in Allendale. Tip off is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET.