Sitting at 8-3 in GLIAC play, the Grand Valley State University women’s basketball team had an opportunity to join a trio of teams in first place. The Lakers needed to come out on top in their most recent home game against Northwood University. Unfortunately, when you give up 48 points in the second half, it’s a difficult uphill battle.

The 48 second half points keyed Northwood (9-9, 7-5) to a 74-65 victory over GVSU (12-4, 8-4).

“We haven’t given up 74 points since we were down in Ashland,” said head coach Janel Burgess. “We didn’t have any control on the defensive end.”

The University of Ashland is 19-0 and the No.1 ranked Division II women’s team.

Senior Briauna Taylor led the way for the Lakers as she knocked in 20 points on a 7-of-17 shooting performance. Another bright spot for the Lakers was sophomore guard Kat LaPrairie’s shooting performance, as she added 15 points.

“We’re always trying to shoot with confidence,” Laprairie said. “It’s just kind of disappointing when you have to force up some shots to try to get you back into it late in the game.”

Trailing late in the first half, LaPrairie knocked down back-to back-three’s to tie the game up at 26 at halftime. The second half was a completely a different story as the Lakers surrendered 48 points, unable to keep up with the Northwood.

“We didn’t contain penetration and we didn’t box out,” Burgess said. “You don’t do those things, you’re going to be in trouble.”

Another aspect of the game in which the Lakers lacked was in the free throw category. Either the inability to stop penetration, or poor lack of judgment from the officials, or a combination of both led GVSU to only attempt 14 free throws compared to 39 attempts for Northwood.

“Perhaps that had something to do with it,” Burgess said.

In the midway point of the second half, Northwood expanded their lead from five to eight, which eventually became a 14 point spread. The Lakers were never able to fully recover.

“It’s kind of hard to get back into the game when we keep making little mistakes,” Taylor said. “We didn’t play good defense, didn’t box out. “We gave them second chance opportunities and they capitalized on it.”

The Lakers are now one game back of Michigan Tech University and Ferris State University (9-3 in GLIAC play), and Wayne State University (8-3 GLIAC). Their next stretch of games against Ferris State and Wayne State will be a great test of how well the Lakers can deal with adversity.

“We just need to get back in the gym and continue to push and go hard,” LaPrairie said. “Getting a little grit in our teeth and grind things out, and we should be okay.”

The Lakers next game is this Thursday, January 24th when they face rival Saginaw Valley State University. After that, their schedule includes Wayne State, Ferris State, and Michigan Tech.

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