This story was written by NMU, GVSU Sports Informaton. GVSU Photo

SATURDAY GAME RECAP
 

ALLENDALE, Mich. -- The Northern Michigan University men's basketball team fell to Grand Valley State University Saturday afternoon in a close 77-72 battle on the road. 

The Wildcats started out playing catch-up as the Lakers jumped out to an early 17-2 lead but the team from NMU would not be discouraged, fighting their way back into contention with a 13-4 edge in points through the halfway point of the first half, trailing 21-15.

The NMU men's team were then held to just six points over the next five minutes as they once again faced a large deficit, down 35-21 with 3:54 remaining in the half. 

Proving that they belong in the fight, the men continued to push, eventually cutting it to a seven-point Laker lead at the half, trialing 37-30.

The Wildcat men kept things close part way through the second half, as the Lakers looked to extend their lead. Shortly after Noah Parcher cut into the GVSU tally to make it a 47-41 point game, Dolapo Olayinka secured the defensive rebound and a media timeout was called.

Following the regrouping, the Wildcats continued to pressure as they made consecutive three-point shots, courtesy of Sam Schultz and Olayinka as the Wildcats found themselves trailing by two, 49-47. 

The Lakers tried to pull away from NMU byt the Wildcats were relentless, climbing back into the contest as Olayinka hit a three-point shot to make it a 55-54 game with 7:15 to play. GVSU quickly answered however, making two straight shots for two, to extend their lead to 59-54, forcing NMU to call a timeout. 

Noah Parcher brought NMU back within a possession with 31 seconds to play, making it a 72-69 game before a foul by the Wildcats gave GVSU two shots at the basket of which they capitalized on.

With five seconds left in regulation, Max Bjorklund hit a three-point jump shot to make it 76-72, GVSU.

The Lakers would make one extra free throw to close out the game as NMU fell in a close 77-72 road battle downstate.

Three individuals posted double-figures in the loss, including Olayinka (16), Tre Harvey (14) and Parcher (11). Olayinka also led the team in rebounds with nine while Parcher boasted a team-best three assists.

FRIDAY GAME RECAP

ALLENDALE, Mich. -- The Northern Michigan University men's basketball team's late rally comes up just short at Grand Valley State University as they fall in overtime to the Lakers, 81-75.

After trailing by 17, the Wildcats managed to take the lead late but the Lakers forced the overtime frame with 10 seconds left and came out victorious on day one of the two-day Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletics Conference series.

Jake Van Tubbergen led the Lakers with 21 points and 11 rebounds, going 10-13 at the free throw line. Isaac Gassman connected on the first four three-pointers he attempted to contribute 20 points and five rebounds. Christian Negron added 13 points and nine boards while Jordan Harris stuffed the box score with 12 points, five rebounds and six assists.

The two teams kept it close for much of the first half with six lead changes before GVSU opened up the lead with a 19-2 run as the Wildcats found themselves quickly trailing, 38-21 with 3:12 to play in the opening 20 minutes.

The Wildcats were able to cut the deficit to eight points before a last second shot and ensuing foul for the Lakers went in to make it a 43-32 game at the half.

Through 20 minutes of regulation, Dolapo Olayinka led the team with nine points and five rebounds while Max Bjorklund, who was second in points with five, led the team with five assists.

With less than four minutes to play, the Wildcats called a timeout and a 6-0 point run ensued, cutting the score to one possession, 64-61.

After the Lakers pulled out a quick jump shot to make it 66-61, Bjorklund drew a foul and was sent to the line to shoot two. Making both, he made it a 66-63 game with 2:48 to play.

Bjorklund then grabbed the defensive rebound and made two more free throws to pull his team back within one, down 66-65 with 1:53 to play. The junior continued to dominate the late second half pressure, knotting things up at 67-67 with a made jumpshot after a GVSU turnover.

Shortly after NMU tied things up, Olayinka made the block of the game, stifling the Lakers' chance at the basket to gain possession back for NMU. Justin Kuehl's initial shot bounced wide of the rim but it was Tre Harvey who grabbed the offensive rebound and drew a foul in the process. He gave the Wildcats their first lead of the second half, and first since 6:30 elapsed in the first, with a pair of made free throws for the 69-67 score.

With 23 seconds left on the clock, the Wildcats called timeout as they were up 69-67. The Lakers drew a foul on the ensuing play and were sent to the line to shoot two where they tied things up.

As time expired in regulation, Max Bjorklund attempted a three-point shot to win the game to no success and the extra session was required to decide a victor.

The Lakers opened up the overtime period with a made dunk before Alec Fruin hit a deep three-point shot to reclaim the lead, 72-71 with 3:07 to play in overtime.

GVSU hit two consecutive shots to go up 76-72 and the Wildcats were forced to call a timeout to regroup with 43 seconds left.

It didn't take long to adjust as Kuehl hit a three-point shot just seconds later to make it a 76-75 game with 36 seconds to play.

With zeros on the clock, the Lakers took game one of the weekend series, 81-75. 

In the stats, the two teams practically tied each category, including rebounds, assists and blocks.

The Wildcats dominated both the bench points and second point chances, leading in each with 21-5 and 17-6 advantages, respectively.

With a 12-point second half, Bjorklund led the team in points (17) while picking up six assists and four rebounds as well. Two other Wildcats posted double-figures in the overtime loss as Olayinka and Kuehl each registered 12 points.

NMU and GVSU return to the court Saturday afternoon as the Wildcats look to split the regular season series. The gamw ill be broadcast on FM-100.3 in Marquette and FM-93.5/AM-600 in Escanaba.