Women's Basketball Falls In Overtime At Grand Valley State 70-67

The Northwood University women's basketball team dropped a tough 70-67 overtime contest at Grand Valley State Saturday night (February 15).

Northwood falls to 12-11 overall, 10-9 in the GLIAC. GVSU improves to 13-10 overall, 11-8 in the GLIAC.

The first half was extremely tight throughout – the biggest lead for either team proved to be five points. GVSU eventually led 27-25 at the break. Neither team shot particularly well – GVSU made 36.4 percent (8-22) while NU finished at 33.3 percent (10-33).

The game continued to be extremely tight after the break as well – six points proved to be the biggest margin of the night for either team. The Timberwolves trailed 54-50 with 2:44 remaining, but scored nine of the next 11 points to earn a 59-56 lead with 22 seconds remaining. But the Lakers converted a layup with 12 seconds left and fouled NU immediately with the score 59-58. Northwood split the two following free throws, giving the Lakers the chance to tie the game. GVSU connected on two free throws with 2.3 seconds left to force overtime with the score tied 60-60.

Northwood could not get its offense going in overtime, going just 1-11 from the floor. The Lakers were up three with under a minute left in overtime when the Timberwolves missed three straight 3-pointers to try and tie the game. The Lakers made enough free throws the rest of the way to earn the win.

NU's shooting was a big factor in the loss. GVSU held the Timberwolves to 29.0 percent from the floor (20-69), 21.7 percent from 3-point range (5-23) and 71.0 percent from the foul line (22-31). All of those marks are below Northwood's season averages. The Lakers finished the game at 41.1 percent from the floor (23-56), 31.3 percent from 3-point range (5-16) and 65.5 percent from the foul line (19-29).

Northwood was led by Gabrielle Rivette (Fenton, Mich.). She finished with 22 points and eight rebounds. Lauren Robak (Clarkston, Mich./Our Lady of the Lakes) added 21 points, while Emily Kutch (Freeport, Mich./Lakeland) had 13 points and nine rebounds. Kaitlin Susan (Grand Rapids, Mich./Byron Center) grabbed a career-high 16 rebounds. The star of the game was GVSU's Dani Crandall, who scored more than half of the Lakers points. She finished with 36.

Northwood will host Michigan Tech Thursday night (February 20). Game time is set for 6 p.m.