The Grand Valley State men's basketball takes on Aquinas for a New Year's Eve matchup with a 3 p.m. tipoff on Saturday. The matchup can be seen live online via FloSports with a paid subscription. The game will be aired on radio on The Ticket (106.1 FM) with Bryan Fongers on the call.

GVSU comes off its third consecutive victory with a 72-69 victory against McKendree on Dec. 18. The win leveled the Lakers' record to 6-6 with the opportunity to get over .500 before the calendar turns to 2023. The Laker defense was stout against McKendree, especially down the stretch. GVSU didn't allow a field goal in the final 6:13 of the game. The Lakers forced 13 Bearcat turnovers, including five in the final six minutes of play. 

Marius Grazulis led the way for GVSU with 15 points. Grazulis had 11 points come from the free-throw line. He made seven of his free throws in the final seven minutes of play. Grazulis added seven rebounds and made two shots from the field.

The matchup with crosstown foe Aquinas marks the end of the nonconference slate for the Lakers. GVSU currently holds a 5-4 nonconference record. The Lakers and Saints have played 48 times and GVSU has won 41 of those matchups. The Lakers have been victorious in the last 31 games.

SCOUTING THE SAINTS
The Saints hold a 3-5 record in the WHAC, which is a conference in the NAIA. Aquinas has faced two common opponents with GVSU. Aquinas lost to Davenport, 64-56, and beat Michigan-Dearborn, 70-61. The Saints are coming off their largest win since 2019 and have a Friday afternoon matchup with Spring Arbor before the New Year's Eve tilt in Allendale.

Aquinas has three players averaging in double figures. Gabe Overway leads the Saints with 13.8 points per game, none of which have come from the 3-point line. Donovan Brown-Boyd is averaging 12.6 points per game and is shooting a 46.2 percent clip from downtown. Menalito McGee also averages 12.1 points and is the highest volume shooter for Aquinas, leading the team in 3-point makes (23) and 3-point attempts (62).

CLOSING OUT 2022
The Lakers' matchup with Aquinas is the final game of the 2022 calendar year. The year saw Cornell Mann enter to take over Laker men's basketball back in April. Heading into the final game of 2022, GVSU holds a 14-15 record during the 2022 calendar year with the chance to get to .500 on Saturday afternoon.

FOLLOW THE NUMBERS
Shooting percentages and rebounding have been solid indicators of GVSU's success this season. When the Lakers shoot better from the field, they are 5-1. On the flip side, when the GVSU opponent shoots better from the floor, it is 1-5 on the season. The lone win while being outshot came against McKendree. On the glass, five of the Lakers' six wins have seen GVSU outrebound its opponent.