HAMMOND, Ind. – The No. 24 Grand Valley State Lakers outlasted Purdue Northwest, 81-76, Thursday (Dec. 9) night at John Friend Court. The Lakers improve to 7-1 overall and 2-1 in GLIAC play.
 
Jake Van Tubbergen recorded yet another double-double, with 16 points and 14 rebounds while Christian Negron posted a season-high 21 points with six boards and three blocks plus a steal. Three more Lakers scored in double figures; Deleon Brown (14 points), Isaac Gassman (12 points) and Jordan Harris (11 points).
 
The Lakers led by as many as seven in the first half, but neither team could get much separation as GVSU went into the break with a 42-38 lead. The lead would remain within two possessions for much of the second half until the Lakers pushed it to a nine-point advantage with 2:30 to play. The Pride would trade buckets down the stretch but couldn't get back within a possession.
 
The Lakers are back in action at Parkside on Saturday at 4 ET/3 CT in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The game can be heard on 1340 AM The Ticket and theticketmi.com and gvsulakers.com and @GVSUBasketball on Twitter will have live coverage links and in-game updates.