ALLENDALE, Mich. – The Grand Valley State Lakers fell to the Purdue Northwest Pride, 78-74, Thursday (Feb. 7) in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) action at the GVSU Fieldhouse Arena. The Lakers fall to 12-10 on the year and 6-8 in GLIAC play.
 
The Pride knocked down 18 three-pointers and GVSU turned the ball over 17 times in the loss. Four Lakers scored in double figures, led by Ben Lubitz's 17 points on five made threes. Hunter Hale scored 12 points and dished five assists while pulling down five rebounds. Jeremiah Ferguson contributed 11 points, six rebounds and seven assists for the second consecutive game. Jake Van Tubbergen scored ten points and secured eight rebounds. Isaiah Brock scored eight points and yanked 10 boards.
 
The Lakers jumped out to a quick 4-2 lead early, before Purdue Northwest began drilling threes. They would hit eight three-pointers in the half, jumping out to a 46-33 lead at the half. The Pride would hit a pair of threes early in the second half and open up a 19-point lead. But Grand Valley State found some momentum and charged on a 19-3 run to cut back within three, 55-52.
 
Hale and Lubitz each hit a three and the Lakers jumped in front by six points with just over five minutes to go. But Purdue Northwest responded with a an 11-0 run to regain the lead and they would hold on down the stretch.
 
The Lakers are back in action on Saturday (Feb. 9) at 3:00 PM when they host the Parkside Rangers. The game will air live on ESPN3 and the radio feed is available on Talk 1230 WTKG.