(ALLENDALE, Mich.) – In an effort to hand Grand Valley its first home loss of the season, Walsh fell just short by a score of 72-66 Thursday evening. The Cavaliers are now 9-4 overall on the season and 3-4 in the GLIAC. The Lakers improve to 8-3 overall and 5-2 in the conference.

Grand Valley started the game on a hot streak and scored the first four baskets to take a quick 8-0 lead less than three minutes into the game. The Cavs clawed their way back into the game and eventually took their first lead on a Jalynn Graham (So., 5-5, Columbus, OH/Central Crossing) layup that made the score 17-16 with 9:08 left in the first half. The teams then exchanged leads three times before Grand Valley pulled ahead for a 33-28 advantage at the halftime break.

The close battle continued throughout the second half. Both squads exchanged leads a handful of times again with Walsh holding its last advantage at 54-52 after a pair of Brooklyn Wooten (So., 5-8, Grove City, OH/Central Crossing) free throws with 7:52 to go in the game. Grand Valley regained the lead on a Jammie Botruff 3-pointer. After a free throw made it 56-54 Lakers, Brittni Clopton (Fr., 5-11, Ft. Wayne, IN/South Side) tied the game on a jumper.

The hosts then created some separation as a 7-0 run appeared to give Grand Valley the momentum. The Cavs had one more comeback attempt left in them and came to within 68-66 after a Graham layup, but the Lakers' Brionna Barnett scored the last four points of the game to set up the 72-66 final.

Walsh shot an impressive 48 percent as it was 24-of 50 from the field, but were doomed by 21 turnovers largely in part to a stout Grand Valley defense that came up with 15 steals.

Alex Hochstedler (Fr., 5-9, Fishers, IN/HS) led the Cavs with a game-high 17 points off the bench. The rookie was 5-of-8 from the field which included a trio of 3-pointers. She was also perfect from the free throw line on four attempts.

Kelsey Funderburgh (Jr., 5-7, North Lewisburg, OH/Triad) also had a strong night with 16 points as she made 6-of-10 from the field. Wooten added 12 and Graham tallied 10 to round out Walsh's double figure scorers. Graham was also a force on the boards and recorded a double-double with 10 rebounds.

Grand Valley was paced by Kayla Dawson who scored 15 points. The Lakers' Piper Tucker had a double-double of her own with 14 points and 11 boards.

Walsh will close out its regular season competition against the North Division as it takes on Ferris State on Saturday. Tip-off to close out the weekend is set for 1 p.m.