MARQUETTE, Mich. -- The Grand Valley State Lakers fell, 70-61, in a road GLIAC bout with the Northern Michigan Wildcats Saturday (Jan. 19) afternoon at the Berry Events Center. The Lakers fall to 11-7 overall and 5-5 in GLIAC play while the Wildcats improve to 10-7 on the season and 5-5 in the conference. 

Three Lakers scored in double figures, led by Hunter Hale's 17 points. Jake Van Tubbergen scored 16, including nine in the second half, and Jeremiah Ferguson pitched in 12 points. The Lakers dominated on the glass despite the loss, out-rebounding the Wildcats 50-25. After a Van Tubbergen three on the opening possession gave the Lakers the lead, Northern would tie the game at 5-5 a few minutes later before taking the lead for good on the following possession. 

GVSU trailed by 11 at halftime, but came out swinging to start the second half. The team kept getting defensive stops and slowly but surely climbed back as close as within two points when Kindred Williams grabbed an offensive rebound and hit a charging Van Tubbergen for a two-handed slam to get within 42-40. But Northern would answer with a three-pointer from Naba Echols and quickly regained a double-digit lead. The Lakers would get back within single digits a couple of times, but couldn't come all the way back.

The Lakers will get the midweek off before resuming conference play next Saturday (Jan. 26) at cross-town Davenport at 3 PM. The game will be broadcast on ESPN 96.1 FM in the Grand Rapids area and GVSULakers.com will provide links to live stats and video while @GVSUBasketball provides live Twitter updates throughout the game.