ALLENDALE, Mich. – The Grand Valley State Lakers made it five in a row with a 78-53 win over the Purdue Northwest Pride Saturday (Dec. 7) in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) action at the GVSU Fieldhouse Arena. GVSU improves to 8-1 on the season and 2-0 in the conference. The Lakers are back in action next Saturday (Dec. 14) at Davenport.
 
Four Lakers scored in double figures, led by 22 points from Jake Van Tubbergen who had nine rebounds but saw his double-double streak snapped at four straight games. Ben Lubitz poured in 21 points, going 5-9 from three and Christian Negron recorded a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds while also stuffing the stat sheet with seven blocks and five steals.
 
The offenses came out hot, with nine points scored between the two teams in the first 80 seconds, spread 5-4 Purdue Northwest. Neither team would score in the ensuing 2:30. With points hard to come by, the Lakers opened a seven-point lead with seven minutes to go in the period. PNW would work it back within two over the next two minutes, 24-22, but the Lakers would go on an 11-4 run to end the half and carry a 35-24 lead into the locker room.
 
Out of the break, the Lakers would open a lead of 13 points, only to see the Pride will it back to a one-possession game once again. The Lakers were keeping the Pride at bay, holding a 47-40 lead with 11 minutes left, when they found the burner. GVSU would go on a 17-2 run, fueled by a pair of threes from Lubitz, to open a 64-40 lead with eight minutes to go, coasting to the finish with their second straight conference win.
 
 
The Lakers have two more games in the 2019 calendar year. They will travel to Davenport, the site of last year's GLIAC Tournament championship run, for a GLIAC showdown with the Panthers next Saturday before hosting Grace Christian in non-conference action the following Wednesday (Dec. 18) at 6 PM. For all live coverage and ticket information, visit GVSULakers.com.