(ALLENDALE, Mich.) – Walsh dropped a hard-fought 63-56 to Grand Valley State University to start its final weekend against North Division competition Thursday evening. The loss is the Cavaliers' (5-6, 1-6) fifth-straight and first time they have lost to the Lakers (8-5, 4-3).

The Cavs did have momentum on their side for a majority of the game and led for the entire first half. They led by as many as nine at 24-15 after a Rian Burrell (Jr., 6-3, Zanesville, OH/HS) 3-pointer with 1:09 left in the half before a Grand Valley layup set the halftime score at 24-17.

After a Kyle Arnold (Sr., 6-4, North Canton, OH/Hoover) three-point play on layup and free throw mad the score 26-21 early in the second half, the Lakers went on a small 7-0 run to take their first lead of the game. Both teams exchanged the lead five times before a Davonte Beard 3-pointer appeared to put momentum back in the hands of the Cavaliers with a 46-40 lead with 9:48 to play.

Grand Valley responded with the next eight points, and while Walsh tied the game back up at 48-48, the Cavs did not see themselves back in front the rest of the night. A Jesse Hardin Jr. (Jr., 6-2, Warren, OH/Harding) put the Cavs within three at 57-54 with 1:39 to play, but that was the closest they could get.

Burrell led the team with 16 points. L.J. Campbell (Sr., 6-8, Weirton, WV/Weir) added 12 as Hardin Jr. also scored in double figures with 10 markers.

Grand Valley was led by Ryan Sabin's 23 points.

Walsh will close out its regular season North Division competition on Saturday against Ferris State. Tip-off against the Bulldogs is set for 3 p.m. following the women's game.