DETROIT – The Grand Valley State men's basketball team won their third straight game with a 62-53 victory over the Wayne State Warriors Thursday (Feb. 24) night at the WSU Fieldhouse. The Lakers improve to 17-9 overall and 11-8 in GLIAC play with one more regular season game coming Saturday (Feb. 26) at Saginaw Valley at 3 PM.
 
Jake Van Tubbergen led the way with 17 points and 17 rebounds while Isaac Gassman also added 13 points. Marius Grazulis had seven points and seven rebounds while Ethan Alderink had seven points and five boards off the bench.
 
The Lakers opened the game on an 11-1 run behind seven early points from Van Tubbergen. After the teams traded five-point spurts back and forth for a few minutes, the Lakers broke away when a personal and technical foul were called on Wayne State. The Lakers hit all four free throws then Blake Verbeek buried his second three in as many tries for a seven-point possession that stretched the lead to double figures. The Lakers would carry a 32-20 lead into halftime.
 
Wayne State willed themselves all the way back to a 44-44 tie, the only tie of a game the Lakers otherwise led wire-to-wire. But Trevon Gunter scored five unanswered to regain the lead and GVSU would never allow the Warriors within a possession again down the stretch.
 
The Lakers are back in action Saturday (Feb. 26) in the regular season finale at Saginaw Valley, seeking a fourth straight win as they embark on post-season play. Game time is set for 3 PM and can be heard live on The Ticket West Michigan (106.1 FM/1340 AM) or www.theticketmi.com.