Unbelievable Comeback: GVSU Overturns 19-Point Deficit to Steal Overtime Victory from Ferris State!

When the Lakers found themselves staring down a 19-point deficit in the second half at Big Rapids, most folks might’ve written them off. Yet, as the clock relentlessly ticked down on Monday night, something electric pulsed through the Grand Valley State squad. Jalen Charity, quite literally finding grace from the backboard, dropped a crucial 3-pointer with just 33 seconds left in overtime — a shot that would etch itself into the memory of Lakers fans as the dagger in a thrilling 84-80 victory over their archrivals. This wasn’t just another game; it was a masterclass in resilience, grit, and the cold, hard truth that you’re never out until the buzzer sounds. Coach Cornell Mann summed it up best, likening the contest to “a boxing match” where persistence delivers the knockout. For a team that had only managed to crack the win column in Big Rapids once in the previous dozen tries, this comeback was not just satisfying — it was transformative. The Lakers’ ability to claw back from near-defeat, fueled by stellar free-throw shooting and timely plays, will have ripple effects through their season and rivalry. Intrigued? Dive deeper into the game’s twists and heroics right here: LEARN MORE

Jalen Charity received some charity from the backboard, banking in a 3-pointer with 33 seconds remaining in overtime to lead the Grand Valley State basketball team to a stunning 84-80 comeback win in the rivalry.

The Lakers trailed by as many as 19 in the second half, before chipping away to force overtime on Monday, Jan. 19, on the road.

“It is a big win. We left stuff on the table in the first half. In the second half, we talked about it being a boxing match. You have to keep throwing blows. These guys don’t give up,” GVSU coach Cornell Mann said. “Our defense is the best in the country, so we are never out of any game.”

It was just the second win for the Lakers in Big Rapids in the past 12 meetings. After a win over Davenport on Thursday, the Lakers have won a couple big rivalries in a week.

“These are wins we have not had in a while,” Mann said.

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The Lakers improved to 13-3 and 6-2 in the GLIAC, while Ferris State dropped to 7-8 and 4-4 in the GLIAC.

In overtime, Charity hit a hook shot to give the Lakers the early lead in overtime.

GVSU's Jalen Charity looks to go up with the ball against Ferris State last season. The Lakers beat the Bulldogs in overtime on Monday. — GVSU’s Jalen Charity looks to go up with the ball against Ferris State last season. The Lakers beat the Bulldogs in overtime on Monday.

After the teams traded baskets, Tae Boyd mad a free throw for the Bulldogs, but missed the second.

GVSU’s Ethan Alderink got the rebound on the second attempt and Smith Jr. nailed a 3 to make it 77-73 with 2:12 to go.

Boyd scored on a jumper, assisted by Zeeland East graduate Brandon Claerbaut, pulling the Bulldogs within 77-75 with 45 seconds to go in OT.

Charity nailed a 3 with 33 seconds to go. Mason Docks made two free throws but Boyd converted a three-point play and the Bulldogs wee with in 82-80 with 9 seconds remaining. Docks then made two free throws to seal it for the Lakers.

“Mason Docks did a great job of causing havoc on defense. We did a good job defensively at the end.The longer the game went, the more we were settled down,” Mann said.

The Bulldogs went on a run late in the first half. Mykel Bingham made two 3s, then a basket in the lane. Chang Hoth then hit two baskets before the half.

Bingham hit another 3 early in the second half and pushed the lead to 41-28.

The Bulldogs maintained a double-digit lead for most of the second half before the Lakers made a run.

Docks grabbed a steal and layup, then a steal by David Wilkerson led to a Jalen Charity dunk to tie the game 64-64 with 4:04 to go.

The Lakers took the lead on a layup by Trevor Smith Jr. before Bingham made a layup to tie it. Bingham then fouled out.

Alderink hit a free throw to make it 67-66 with 1:48 to go.

Ferris State’s Bryce Moore was called for an offensive foul. Wilkerson made two free throws and led 69-66 with 1:36 to go.

Tae Boyd hit two free throws for the Bulldogs to pull within 69-68 with 1:13 to go.

The Lakers were called for a shot-clock violation with 44 seconds to go, giving the Bulldogs the ball.

The Bulldogs missed two shots, got one offensive rebound, but Alderink grabbed the second rebound for the Lakers. He was fouled with 6 seconds to go, missed the first and made the second to make it 70-68. Bryce Moore scored with 3 seconds to go to tie the game 70-70.

Wilkerson’s halfcourt shot hit the front of the rim at the buzzer, and the game headed to overtime.

GVSU shot just 33% from the floor and went 7-for-30 from beyond the arc. But GVSU got to the free-throw line 40 times and made 29 of them to get back in the game.

Charity had a career-high 27 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Smith Jr. scored a career-high 19 points and dished out five assists. Docks had 15 points and four assists, while Wilkerson had nine points, all from the free-throw line to go with four assists. Alderink scored five points and had five rebounds and an assist. Shamus Thompson grabbed eight rebounds.

Ferris State shot 40% and went 8-for-28 from 3-point range and got to the free-throw line 25 times, making 18.

Bingham had 21 points and 11 rebounds before fouling out. Boyd scored 21 and grabbed nine rebounds while Hoth had 14 points. Owen Hardy had a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds. Claerbaut grabbed two rebounds and dished out an assist.

Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’[email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: GVSU basketball defeats Ferris State in overtime after comeback