LAKELAND, Fla. – The No. 23 Grand Valley State Lakers erased a 10-point halftime deficit to storm away with a 75-68 road win over Florida Southern Friday (Nov. 26) night at Jenkins Fieldhouse. The Lakers improve to 4-0 and will face Saint Leo at the same venue tomorrow at 5:30 PM.
 
Trailing 61-53 with eight minutes remaining, the Lakers ended the game on a 22-7 run to knock off the hosts of the Terrace Hotel Classic. Jake Van Tubbergen notched his fourth consecutive double-double to start the season, scoring 23 points with 13 rebounds to lead the Lakers to victory. Van Tubbergen was one of four Lakers in double figures, joined by Jordan Harris (13 points), Isaac Gassman (11 points, 8 rebounds) and Christian Negron (10 points, 9 rebounds, 4 blocks).
 
"I'm so impressed with our guys effort in that second half, particularly on the defensive end," said head coach Ric Wesley. "This is a really good team playing in their home gym and we just kept grinding and fighting and found a way. Our leadership really showed at the end, holding that offense to just seven points in eight minutes, and we got some huge plays when we needed them most. I'm really, really proud of how we finished this one."
 
The Lakers trailed by 10 at the half but opened the second period on a 9-0 run. The Mocs would keep GVSU at a close distance for much of the second half, but the Lakers, who held Florida Southern under 22% from the floor in the second half, took their first lead of the period with just over six minutes left when Gassman hit a jumper in the lane. The Mocs would regain an advantage once, but a Negron pick-six put GVSU back in front for good.
 
The Lakers return to action tomorrow night (Nov. 27) against Saint Leo. GVSULakers.com and @GVSUBasketball will provide coverage links and live updates.