BIG RAPIDS, Mich. -- For the second consecutive game, a three-pointer narrowly missed at the final buzzer to sink the Grand Valley State men's basketball team Saturday (Feb. 5) afternoon in an 83-80 loss to Ferris State at Jim Wink Arena. The Lakers drop to 14-7 overall and 8-6 in GLIAC play with the team returning home this weekend for a pair of games.

Down by 13 points with just over four minutes to play, the Lakers showed heart and grit down the stretch, working for timely stops and big buckets with a pair of steals in the final minute that led to transition buckets to get the game to one possession. The teams traded free throws down the stretch and set up the Lakers with seven seconds left and a three point deficit.

With Ferris planning to intentionally foul, the Lakers were able to sprint into the front court and call timeout before there was a chance for the Bulldogs to do so, earning one final look from three. Jake Van Tubbergen got some separation from deep middle of the front court and his shot clanged the front of the rim before falling off to the left to end the game.

Van Tubbergen was one of five Lakers in double figures on the day, scoring 14 points with eight rebounds. Christian Negron contributed a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds, including eight points early in the second half in a 10-2 GVSU run out of the halftime locker room to break the 37-37 tie after 20 minutes. Deleon Brown led the scoring with 19 points while Isaac Gassman hit four more three-pointers, giving him 13 for the road week, in a 12-point performance and Jordan Harris had 10 points - including one of those late strip-and-scores - and seven assists.

Despite playing their sixth games in a 12-day stretch, on the road in an imposing environment, and shorthanded in the coaching staff due to COVID-19 protocals, the Lakers fought valiantly to the bitter end against the top team in the GLIAC. While the comeback fell just short, the Lakers showed they have the fight and spirit to hang with anyone in this league and should be considered a force to be reckoned with down the stretch.

The Lakers look to build off the effort today on Thursday (Feb. 10) when they host the Northern Michigan Wildcats at 8 PM at the GVSU Fieldhouse Arena. Tickets are available now at gvsutickets.com and the game can be seen on ESPN3 and heard on Thunder Country 107.3 FM.