HAMMOND, Ind. -- The Purdue University Northwest women's basketball team had a strong start to the game but was unable to hang on against No. 16 Grand Valley State in a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference game Saturday.

The Lakers (6-1, 2-0 GLIAC) defeated the Pride (2-5, 0-2 GLIAC), 78-49, at the Fitness and Recreation Center. 

Junior Shae Rhonehouse (Fremont, Ind./Fremont) led the way for the Pride, scoring 17 points, including 14 in the first half and pulling down six rebounds. Kelli Damman (Fort Wayne, Ind./Carroll) added 11 points off the bench. 

PNW started off on a 14-5 run after Molly DeValkeneare (Milwaukee, Wis./Brookfield) hit a free throw with 2:32 left in the first quarter. 

GVSU made a 8-0 run in the second period before Bayley Goodman (Fowler, Ind./Benton Central) hit a three to make it 21-20 Lakers with 8:18 remaining in the half.

Lanie Allen (East Noble, Ind./East Noble) hit back-to-back free throws to make it 33-27 GVSU with 3:04 in the second quarter but the Lakers would take a 39-27 advantage heading in to the half.

GVSU kept a substantial lead in the second half as they went on to defeat the Pride 78-49.

Cassidy Boensch led Grand Valley with 20 points and 16 rebounds. 

PNW returns to action Thursday, December 6 as the Pride travel to Northern Michigan to take on the Wildcats starting at 4:30 p.m. CT.