Holland Reporter

The Grand Valley State University men's basketball team secured a 76-68 victory against Saginaw Valley State University on Saturday afternoon. The win improved the Lakers' overall record to 14-12 and 10-8 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC).

Jalen Charity led the Lakers with 15 points, maintaining his position as the team's top scorer for three consecutive games. Charity shot perfectly from both the three-point line and free throw line. Mason Docks also contributed 15 points, leading the team with six assists. Cam Regnerus added eight points, six rebounds, and two blocks, while Shamus Thompson dominated the boards with ten rebounds.

Grand Valley State shot 34% from the field and restricted Saginaw Valley State to a shooting percentage of 33% overall and just 20% from beyond the arc. The Lakers outperformed their opponents in rebounding, securing a total of 48 compared to SVSU's 41, including a significant advantage in offensive rebounds at 17-9. Both teams scored equally in the paint with 22 points each; however, GVSU excelled in fast-break opportunities with 24 points compared to SVSU's ten.

The game commenced with a strong start for GVSU, opening on a seven-point run initiated by Trevor Smith Jr.'s three-pointer followed by Thompson's layup. Despite several comeback attempts by SVSU throughout the first half, including narrowing the gap to five points at one stage, GVSU maintained control. A series of successful plays allowed them to extend their lead to an eleven-point advantage at halftime.

In the second half, GVSU further extended their lead through strategic runs and sharp shooting from key players like Kaden Brown and Jalen Charity. At one point, Docks individually went on a five-point streak that increased their lead significantly.

Although SVSU managed a late-game surge that brought them within single digits of GVSU's lead towards game's end, it wasn't enough to overtake them before time expired.

Looking ahead, Grand Valley State will conclude their regular season with home games against Davenport on February 25th and Roosevelt on March 1st. Both matchups are set to be streamed live via FloSports and broadcasted live on Thunder Country Radio Station at frequency FM107.3.