Parkside 73, Grand Valley State 62
The Parkside men's team traveled to Allendale, Mich. with hopes of completing the regular season sweep against Grand Valley State and the Rangers would just do that winning 73-62.
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HOW IT HAPPENED
Rasheed Bello started the scoring for the Rangers with a deep three followed by a hook shot from Colin O'Rourke.

Bello for threeee!!!! We are underway from GVSU! https://twitter.com/i/status/1619428748314685440https://twitter.com/i/status/1619428748314685440
— Parkside Men's Basketball (@UWPMBB) January 28, 2023

The Lakers were able to convert off turnovers and at the free-throw line to go up by eight. Out of the 12-minute media timeout, O'Rourke was able to get open on the block to cash in two points. Bello was able to find back-to-back streaking players to get a fast four points to make it a two-point game. Josiah Palmer was found open to hit a pull-up jumper to tie the game at 20. Both teams traded baskets as Parkside was able to hold onto one point lead before Lakers had a response take the lead back, 28-27.

Count it with the foul!! Simpson with the tough finish. Parkside on a 10-0 run. Now leading late in the half. https://twitter.com/i/status/1619434054264446976
— Parkside Men's Basketball (@UWPMBB) January 28, 2023

O'Rourke would four straight threes to help Parkside go on a 12-2 run to close out the first half with a 40-30 lead.

Parkside would shoot 62% from the field and 46% from behind the arch in the first half. O'Rourke would lead all scoring with 18 points while going 4-5 from behind the arch. Simpson and Palmer collected eight points each with Bello having six points.

Bello from deep with the shot clock running down! Parkside continues to lead nearing midway through the second half. https://twitter.com/i/status/1619444679191441411
— Parkside Men's Basketball (@UWPMBB) January 28, 2023

To start the second half, the Lakers had a few responses against the Ranges to cut the lead to six before heading into the 16-minute media timeout. Buckets from Bello and Sanmi Fajana helped Parkside gain a 11-point lead.

O'Rourke now with 20 points on the night thanks to this beautiful pass from Simpson! Parkside leads by 11 with under 10 to go. https://twitter.com/i/status/1619447021831864320
— Parkside Men's Basketball (@UWPMBB) January 28, 2023

Put 'em in a spin cycle Sanmi!!! https://twitter.com/i/status/1619448912573759489
— Parkside Men's Basketball (@UWPMBB) January 28, 2023

Parkside was able to hold the lead as they were able to keep GVSU only shooting 46.3% from the floor compared the Rangers 55.8%. What really helped the Rangers was their 3-point shooting, shooting 44% compared to the Lakers 20%.

A LOOK AT THE STATS
O'Rourke and Bello led the Rangers with 22 points each. O'Rourke shot 9-12 from the floor and 4-6 from behind the arch. Fajana would finish with 11 points along with Simpson's 10 points.

HEAR FROM HEAD COACH LUKE REIGEL
"Outstanding team effort today. Finishing up five straight conference road games back-to-back wins sums up the toughness of this group. I love the way we moved the ball and bodies on the offensive end as well. Our guys were very unselfish, especially Rasheed and Jamir. They draw so much attention that when they can't get to their spots they can find open shooters. This is the best game we've played in a while and we can't wait to get home and play in front of some Ranger fans. It has been forever since we played in front of our students."

WHAT'S NEXT
Parkside basketball is back in action on Thursday, Feb. 2 as the Rangers will host the Ferris Sate Bulldogs at 7:30 p.m. cst. For more information, visit parksiderangers.com.