ALLENDALE, Mich. (Nov. 28) – The Tigers were defeated 91-60 by Grand Valley State in non-conference play Saturday afternoon.
 
The loss drops the Salem International University men's basketball team to 1-4 overall, while the Lakers improve to 5-0 this season.
 
Senior Tyler Bell (Kalamazoo, Mich./Kalamazoo Central) led the team with 15 points, while freshman Mihai Streza (Gold Coast, Australia/Southport) chipped in 14 points on 50 percent shooting (3 of 6) from the field.
 
Grand Valley State raced out to a 28-9 lead and was aided by 10 Salem International turnovers in the opening 12 minutes of the game. Despite a pair of three pointers by Streza over the next three minutes, the Tigers were unable to cut into the Laker lead and trailed 47-22 heading into the locker rooms.
 
Salem International trailed 60-36 with 11:25 left in the game when it had its best run of the game. The Tigers went on a 12-4 spurt over the next three minutes and forced four turnovers to pull within 64-47 with 9:14 remaining in regulation. The Lakers did not allow Salem International to get any closer to remain unbeaten this season.
 
The Tigers as a team shot 33 percent (19 of 58), while Grand Valley finished shooting 54 percent (29 of 54) and held a 44 to 20 edge in points in the paint for the game. The Lakers also held a 43 to 35 edge on the glass.
 
Salem International returns to the hardwood on Tuesday, Dec. 1 when they travel to play No. 3 West Liberty at 7 p.m.