Grand Valley State University’s men’s basketball team (3–0) steamrolled Minnesota State University (4–2) in a 76–55 victory last Friday, and edged out a 77-73 win against University of Sioux Falls (3–2) Saturday in an afternoon thriller.
From the opening tip against Minnesota State, the Lakers controlled the pace, tempo and physicality, turning a dominant first-half run into a wire-to-wire win. GVSU opened the game with a blistering 10–0 run before the Mavericks could settle in, sparked by redshirt senior forward Ethan Alderink’s eight points in the first two minutes. Alderink drilled back-to-back threes and added a layup off a pick-and-roll slip, forcing Minnesota State into a timeout just 93 seconds into the action. Redshirt senior guard Trevor Smith Jr. extended the lead moments later with a transition finish, pushing the score to 12–2.
Every time Minnesota State attempted to chip away, the Lakers responded with another burst. Leading 20–11, GVSU’s bench erupted for a 9–0 run fueled by efficient ball movement and interior finishing. A big-time 3-pointer from redshirt junior guard Charles Turner and free throws from senior forward Jalen Charity stretched the lead to 38–16. The Lakers eventually took a 40–22 halftime lead, holding MSU to just 7-for-33 (21%) from the field and 1-for-15 from deep.
The second half featured more of the same: stifling defense and efficient scoring inside. GVSU pushed its lead to 50–27 early on after Smith Jr. converted a steal into a fast-break layup. Minnesota State briefly showed life with a 7–0 run midway through the half, pulling within 56–38, but Smith Jr. again steadied the Lakers with back-to-back buckets to halt the momentum.
Smith Jr. finished the night with 18 points on 8-of-11 shooting, while Alderink added 14 on a near-perfect 6-of-7 day. The Lakers’ bench overwhelmed the Mavericks, posting 43 bench points to MSU’s 13. Overall, GVSU shot 47.1 percent from the field while holding Minnesota State to 25.4 percent (15-of-59), including a frigid 4-of-28 from three.
Even in a comfortable win, the rebounding battle stood out. GVSU won the boards 44–41, grabbing 12 offensive rebounds and converting key second-chance opportunities to maintain their cushion. Minnesota State found its footing a bit late, outscoring GVSU 36–33 in the second half, never getting closer than 18.
With the win, the Lakers improved to 3–0, showcasing a balanced approach built on defensive pressure, depth and efficient shot-making.
Less than 24 hours after the dominant showing, GVSU proved they could win a very different kind of game, one filled with momentum swings, late pressure and tight possessions against Sioux Falls.
Unlike the night prior, GVSU didn’t jump ahead early. Sioux Falls opened the game on a quick 6–2 burst, attacking downhill and crashing the offensive glass. The Lakers answered with a decisive 12–0 run midway through the first half, highlighted by an Alderink corner three, a pair of strong finishes from Charity and a transition layup from Smith Jr. That run flipped a 4-4 tie into a 22–13 lead.
The Lakers continued to build separation, shooting 56% in the first half while holding the Cougars to just 1-for-5 from beyond the arc. Another mini-run, this time a 7–2 stretch capped by a Charity dunk, extended the lead to double digits. GVSU entered the locker room with a 40–30 halftime lead, mirroring their strong first-half performance from Friday.
However, Sioux Falls refused to fold. The Cougars opened the second half with an 11–4 run, drilling two threes and forcing GVSU into early foul trouble. Their surge cut the Lakers’ lead to 44–41, the closest margin since the game’s early minutes. From there, both teams traded punches.
GVSU responded as they attacked the Cougars in the paint, resulting in multiple layups and free throws for the Lakers. Sioux Falls responded with another run of their own, an 8–0 burst to narrow the gap to 62–60 with just under six minutes left.
The final minutes turned into a test of composure. Charity knocked down four straight free throws, and a key offensive rebound from Turner set up a dagger 3-pointer from Alderink, extending the lead to 75–71. The Cougars stayed within striking distance, but GVSU iced the game at the line, hitting six of their final eight free-throw attempts.
Alderink led the Lakers with 18 points and eight rebounds, continuing his efficient weekend shooting at 7-for-9 from the field. Charity added 16 points on a perfect 6-for-6 from the stripe, while Smith Jr. contributed timely buckets and steady perimeter play. As a team, GVSU shot 52% from the field and won the paint battle, 40–28.
With the win, the Lakers improve to 4–0, leaving Sioux Falls with a sweep of the weekend and early-season statement: GVSU can dominate when things go smoothly, yet grind out a victory when they don’t. The Lakers return home to face Lewis University (0-3) Wednesday at 3 p.m. in the Fieldhouse.
