The Grand Valley State University women’s basketball team went toe-to-toe with GLIAC foe Michigan Tech University this past Saturday night.

Unfortunately for GVSU, they found themselves on the wrong end of the scoreboard, dropping a 69-58 decision to Michigan Tech (15-6, 13-4 GLIAC).

“I thought we really fought hard,” said head coach Janel Burgess. “Our effort was definitely there. In the end, it was a difference of who knocked down shots.”

In the first half, the Lakers went back-and-forth with the Huskies, matching every shot they would make, and vice versa. Although both squads were under 40 percent shooting for the half, the sporadic pace gave GVSU a 31-30 advantage heading into halftime.

“We played with a lot of energy in the first half,” said sophomore Kat LaPrairie, who chipped in with 12 points and four rebounds. “I thought we knocked down shots, and we did a good job of keeping tempo in the first half.”

Unfortunately, the second half would be a different story for GVSU, as the Lakers were unable to keep pace with Michigan Tech and would eventually be unable to make up the deficit.

“The amount of hustle plays that Tech made down the stretch was big for them,” Burgess said. “We couldn’t contain them during some points of the game. Contesting three’s was also an issue.”

Shooting percentages was the telltale stat in the second half as the Lakers couldn’t keep up with Michigan Tech, shooting only 38 percent from the field. Meanwhile, the Huskies shot 50 percent from the field, as well as hitting on 5-of-7 from three-point range in the second half.

“We just couldn’t seem to get stops in the second half,” LaPrairie said. “I think our flow on offense was jarred from our inability to get stops on defense as well.”

GVSU also had issues with controlling the ball. Michigan Tech forced 13 Laker turnovers, which resulted in 16 points off of turnovers for the Huskies.

“That was huge,” said senior Briauna Taylor, who for the 14th time this season led the Lakers in scoring, tallying 17 points. “We have to take care of the ball. I know we can beat them, and I can’t wait to play them again.”

GVSU finally returns home after four straight games on the road. GVSU went 2-2 on during the four game stretch, including a win 67-56 win over Northern Michigan University on Thursday. Taylor and LaPrairie were once again the top scorers for the Lakers in that game, as Taylor scored 15 points and LaPrairie added 13 points.

“It’s going to be a battle with every game you play in this league,” Burgess said. “We ran into somewhat of a buzz saw here in Houghton, but we will get back into the gym and gear up for Thursday’s game.”

This upcoming Thursday at 8 p.m., GVSU will face fellow GLIAC foe Lake Superior State University (5-16, 4-13 GLIAC).
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