ALLENDALE, Mich. – The Grand Valley State Lakers ended the regular season on a high note with a 75-66 win over the Davenport Panthers Thursday (Feb. 27) night at the GVSU Fieldhouse Arena. The Lakers, GLIAC South Division Champions, will be the No. 2 seed in the GLIAC Tournament after finishing the conference schedule 15-5 (22-6 overall). GVSU will host Ashland in the GLIAC Quarterfinals next Tuesday (March 3) at 8 PM.
 
Isaac Gassman led the Lakers with 24 points on 8-10 shooting, including 6-8 from beyond the arc. Christian Negron went 9-12 from the field for 20 points and seven rebounds with four blocks. Jake Van Tubbergen was held to single digits in scoring for just the second time this season (seven points), but set a career mark with 17 rebounds. Jayden Hodgson contributed eight assists and four steals. 
 
The Lakers led for much of the first half, but the Panthers closed the half strong to take a 34-32 lead into the break. They would balloon that lead as high as seven points with 13 minutes left in regulation. GVSU would call a timeout and reorganize, getting a corner three from John Slater to spark a 7-0 run that got them right back within one. A few minutes later, Gassman would score five straight points to give the Lakers the lead, 53-51, with eight minutes left and GVSU would never trail again.
 
The Lakers begin post-season play with the GLIAC quarterfinal Tuesday. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN3 and Talk 1230 WTKG and the iHeart app.