ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – A putback on an intentionally missed free throw rimmed out as the buzzer sounded on the Grand Valley State Lakers' season in a 65-63 loss to the No. 15 Lewis Flyers in the NCAA Midwest Region Quarterfinals at Neil Carey Arena. The eight-seed Lakers led for 26:30 of the game and were minutes from stunning the hosts, but Lewis used free throws down the stretch to regain the lead. The Lakers season ends at 19-13 while Lewis, at 25-5, advances to Sunday's semifinal.
 
Jake Van Tubbergen scored 19 points, 17 of which came in the second half due to two fouls in the first three minutes of the game. The Lakers jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead before Lewis responded with a 9-0 run. The Lakers answered with nine unanswered points of their own and would hold that lead the remainder of the first half, taking a four-point lead into intermission.
 
Lewis marched out to a 4-0 run to start the second half to tie the game and, with eight minutes to go would open a seven-point advantage. But Van Tubbergen scored a mid-range jumper, Jeremiah Ferguson stripped the ball and coasted for a bucket then another steal led to a transition three from Ben Lubitz and a 7-0 Laker run in 1:20 tied the game.
 
The Lakers would use that momentum to open a four-point lead with two minutes left, but some foul calls hurt them down the stretch. Lewis went 18-22 from the free throw line while GVSI went 8-13.
 
The Lakers, who at one point were 12-11 on the year and on the verge of missing the post-season entirely, had an incredible run to reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2010. While the narrow loss stings now, this team has plenty to be proud of as they build towards next season.