HOUGHTON, Mich. – The Grand Valley State men's basketball team picked up a huge road win against #5 Michigan Tech 79-75 Friday (Jan. 2) afternoon in their first game of the 2025 calendar year. The Lakers improve to 9-2 on the season and 2-1 in the GLIAC. 
 
Jalen Charity led GVSU with a new career high 22 points on 5-10 shooting from the field and 11-15 shooting from the free throw line. Charity also led the Lakers hauling in seven rebounds including four offensive rebounds. Ethan Alderink scored 14 points and five rebounds on 5-6 shooting from the field and three three-pointers. Trevor Smith Jr. notched 12 points and dished out two assists, while Mason Docks added seven points and three steals. Charles Turner scored eight points and brought down four rebounds with two three-pointers in the win.
 
GVSU shot 41% from the field and 42% from three. Michigan Tech shot 40% from the floor and 32% from three-point range. The Lakers outrebounded the Huskies 43-36 and 16-13 in offensive rebounds. GVSU scored 19 second chance points and 24 points in the paint. The Lakers forced Michigan Tech to commit 12 turnovers and scored 16 points off turnovers. 
 
Both teams got off to a slow start as Mason Docks would tie the game at 11-11 12 minutes into the first half on a pull up jump shot in the paint. GVSU would go on an 11-0 run after back-to-back three's by Ethan Alderink to take a 23-19 lead with just over four minutes to play in the first half. Michigan Tech answered with a 7-0 run to tie the game at 26-26 with just over three minutes to go. Cam Regnerus would hit two free throws before the end of the half to give the Lakers a two-point lead heading into the break. 
 
In the second half, Jalen Charity opened the scoring to push the lead to four but the Huskies answered quickly with a three-pointer to bring it to a one-point game. Both teams would exchange leads throughout the majority of the second half. Michigan Tech would take a 50-49 lead with 8:30 remaining, but Charles turner knocked down a three to give GVSU a two-point lead. The Huskies would take a one-point lead with 7:10 left in the game, but Trevor Smith Jr. answered with a three-pointer on the next possession. GVSU would not trail for the remainder of the game as they would knock down free throws and force Michigan Tech to commit two turnovers in the final two minutes to secure the four-point win. 
 
GVSU will close out the weekend trip in Marquette, Michigan when they face Northern Michigan tomorrow (Jan. 3) afternoon at 3:00 PM. The game will be streamed live on FloCollege and can be listened live on Thunder Country 107.3.