Women's Basketball Falls To Grand Valley State 86-73

MIDLAND, MICH. – The Northwood University women's basketball team fell to Grand Valley State University 66-73 on Saturday evening (January 24).

The loss drops the Timberwolves to 12-6 overall and 8-4 in the GLIAC, while the Lakers improve to 12-4 on the season and 9-3 in conference play.

Grand Valley led by as many as 19 points with 1:47 left to play in the opening half before Northwood surged to go on an 8-0 run to end the half trailing 44-33. NU finished the half with an advantage in points in the paint (18-12), fast break (5-0) and bench points (11-8) while Grand Valley out-rebounded the Timberwolves 21-16.

NU got within nine at the 10:31 mark (62-53), but would get no closer for the remainder of the game. Grand Valley's second chance points won the game for the Lakers, out-scoring NU 23-10. Rebounding and execution on the defensive end were keys to the game, as GVSU finished with a 41-29 advantage on the glass (including 14 offensive rebounds) and shot 48.4 percent from the floor.

Three Timberwolves finished in double-figures, led by senior Gabrielle Rivette (Fenton, Mich.) who led all scorers with 23 points to go with four assists and four rebounds. Rivette is the fourth Timberwolf this season to reach a career milestone and became the 15^th member of the women's 1,000 point club at Northwood. She now has 1,005 points for her career. Sarah Susan (Grand Rapids, Mich. / Byron Center) added 14 points, while Lauren Robak (Clarkston, Mich. / Our Lady of the Lakes) – who reached her 1,000^th point against Ferris State on Thursday – finished with 10.

The Timberwolves will travel to the Upper Peninsula, taking on Michigan Tech on Thursday (January 29). Women tip off at 5before playing in an early 11:00 contest at Northern Michigan Saturday (January 31).