ALLENDALE – Northern Michigan University erased nearly all of an 11-point second-half deficit but fell just short in a 62-58 women’s basketball loss at Grand Valley State on Thursday.

Senior guard Alyssa Colla led with Wildcats with a game-high 22 points, while sophomore guard Bre Gaspervich added 15.

Guard Brionna Barnett led the Lakers with 16 points.

Colla, senior teammate Abbey DeBruin and GV’s Piper Tucker led all rebounders with seven apiece. Colla also added five assists to her statistical line.

NMU slipped to 12-8 overall and 10-6 in the GLIAC North Division, while GV improved to 15-5 and 12-4 in the North.

The Wildcats faced their biggest deficit, 55-44, with 5:26 to go when Tucker made a layup.

Then they proceeded to outscore GV 12-3 over the next 4 1/2 minutes to pull within 58-56 on Gaspervich’s third 3-pointer with 1:08 left.

The Lakers made all four of their free throw attempts in the final 30 seconds, two each by Tucker and Brionna Barnett, to seal the victory.

NMU opened with an early 11-9 lead before GV stormed back for a 31-21 lead a minute before halftime. Colla hit a 3-pointer after that to make it a seven-point deficit at halftime.

Northern finishes this downstate trip with a game in Big Rapids against Ferris State at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Writer Ryan Stieg. He can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 246.