KENOSHA, Wisc.—The Grand Valley State men's basketball team dropped its first game of the New Year, 81-72, on Thursday night inside of De Simone Arena.
 
Chinedu Kingsley Okanu led the way for the Lakers (7-7, 1-3 GLIAC) with 12 points. He added 4 rebounds, led GVSU with five assists and had two blocks against the Rangers (11-3, 5-0).
 
Trevon Gunter also scored 11 points for GVSU, while Parker Day and Luke Toliver both added nine points of their own. Marius Grazulis led the way on the glass again for the Lakers, grabbing five rebounds. Gunter led GVSU with three steals on the night.
 
GVSU outrebounded the Rangers, 33-27, including a 16-9 edge in offensive rebounding. The Lakers also beat Parkside in second chance points with 20 compared to Parkside's nine. GVSU's bench outscored the Parkside bench 31-8.
 
GVSU was battling throughout the game and only trailed, 33-31, at the halftime break. The Lakers kept fighting back in the second half, but couldn't manage to take the lead at any point in the second half.
 
The Lakers' next game is set for a 4 p.m. tipoff on Saturday against Purdue Northwest in Hammond, Indiana.