MIDLAND, Mich.—As the Grand Valley State women's basketball team was looking to win a third straight game and continue the new year unbeaten, the Timberwolves of Northwood were poised to spoil the attempt, and did so with a strong effort at home on Thursday night. GVSU fell to 10-4 on the season (5-3 GLIAC) after a late rally to pull within four points with one minute left to play, ultimately losing the game 60-53.
 
Lindsay Orwat of Northwood scored a game-high 19 points, while her sister Hannah chipped in 10 points to carry the home team to the victory. For the Lakers, Janae Langs scored 14 points, while Piper Tucker and Taylor Parmley each scored 11 points.
 
 After a sluggish beginning to the game in which the teams combined for four missed shots and two turnovers in the first minute of play, the Timberwolves settled into a groove, scoring ten straight points, five from Orwat, and jumping out to an early 10-0 lead. Even after GVSU scored a few buckets in response, the Timberwolves further extended their lead to 17-8 on a pair of free throws from Jordyn Nurenburg with just under a minute left in the quarter.
 
In the second quarter, the Lakers trimmed a nine point deficit down to two points on consecutive baskets by Parmley and Tucker and a three-point bucket from Lindsay Baker. That run made the score 23-21 with 6:06 left to play in the quarter. After a few minutes of back and forth play, the Timberwolves got three free throws and a layup to open up a seven point lead, 28-21 with 2:47 left before the half. In the closing minutes of the first half, a pair of free throws and a layup by Parmley helped keep the halftime margin to just five, 32-27, with the Lakers trailing the home squad.
 
In the third quarter, the Timberwolves opened the lead up to 10 points on an old-fashioned three point play by Maddie Seeley. That lead would grow in the quarter, as layups by the Orwat sisters with a few minutes left in the quarter offset makes by Parmley and Tucker to keep the Timberwolves ahead 49-38 at the end of three quarters of play.
 
Not willing to go down without a fight, the Lakers clawed back into the game in the final quarter. After back to back layups by Northwood ballooned the lead to 13 (53-38), the Lakers rattled off eight straight points to make things interesting late in the fourth quarter. Kayla Dawson began the run with a layup and free throw, which was then followed by a layup, a jumper and a three-pointer from Langs on back to back to back possessions. After a pair of Northwood free throws, Tucker hit a layup to keep the game within five, 55-50, with 1:41 left to play. A free throw from Bailey Cairnduff brought GVSU within four, 55-51, but the Lakers would get no closer, as the Timberwolves sank free throws down the stretch to seal the game.
 
The Lakers shot just 36.0 percent (18-50) from the field and just 19 percent (4-21) from beyond the arc. They were outrebounded 30-22 by Northwood, and committed 18 turnovers with led to 18 Timberwolf points.
 
Next up for the Lakers is a Saturday matinee with Lake Superior State in Sault Ste. Marie. Tip-off for that game is set for 1:00 p.m.