SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. -- A last-second jumper rimmed out as the Grand Valley State men's basketball team fell, 75-72, to Lake Superior State Thursday (Feb. 3) night at Bud Cooper Gymnasium. The Lakers, who suffered their first road loss of the season, drop to 14-6 overall and 8-5 in GLIAC play. The Lakers play their sixth game in 12 days this Saturday (Feb. 5) when they visit Ferris State at 3 PM.

GVSU opened a 12-point lead in the first half behind some timely shooting from Deleon Brown, who finished with 17 points, but the Lake State side connected on a flurry of free throws down the stretch then capped off the half with a mid-court buzzer beater banked in off the backboard to cut the deficit to three, 32-29 GVSU, after 20 minutes.

Jake Van Tubbergen, who was out with foul trouble down the stretch of the opening period, returned to form, also giving the Lakers 17 points, and Isaac Gassman hit a pair of threes to keep the Laker lead steady for much of the game. But, again, foul trouble led to opportunities for Lake Superior State to take their first lead of the game, 64-62, with under five minutes remaining.

The teams would remain within one score of each other down the stretch and, with the game tied at 72-72, Justin Fischer drove in for a go-ahead layup for Lake State with :13 left. GVSU got a contested three look for Van Tubbergen who, despite the hand in his face, rattled the rim but couldn't quite get the finish on what would have been a game-winner. 

The Lakers visit the Ferris State Bulldogs on Saturday in a critical rivalry game. The game can be heard on Thunder Country 107.3 FM and @GVSUBasketball on social media will provide full live coverage links.