CHICAGO – Roosevelt could not overcome a slow start in a tough 75-68 loss to Northern Michigan in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference action Monday at the Goodman Center.

The Lakers (8-18, 5-13 GLIAC) stuck toe-to-toe with the Wildcats in the first five minutes, but then surrendered a 14-0 run from which they could not recover. Roosevelt made things interesting numerous times, notably closing the gap to as little as five in the first half. But the Lakers saved their biggest run for crunch time when they had the best chance at finally tying the game.

Northern Michigan took a 12-point lead with 8:43 remaining and made just one field over the next three minutes as Roosevelt stormed back. Daniel Reed knocked down a 3-pointer to start the rally before both Forte Prater and Enari Thomas made two free throws. Prater hit a pull-up jumper to bring the Lakers within five and Thomas went to the basket on the next possession and made a tough layup. A block from Prater led to a fastbreak layup for Thomas, and the Lakers completed a 14-3 run to trim the deficit to 60-59.

The Wildcats scored 11 of the next 13 points to take the wind out of Roosevelt's sails and the Lakers couldn't get enough shots to fall late to pull off the comeback. Thomas scored 20 of his 27 points in the second half and shot 8 of 12 from the field while Prater had 18 of his 23 over the final 20 minutes on 5 of 10 shooting.

Rebounding was an issue for the Lakers as Northern Michigan won the battle on the glass 43-26. However, the bigger problem was Roosevelt allowing 20 second-chance points off 18 offensive rebounds. The Wildcats shot just 36 percent in the second half while the Lakers shot nearly 54 percent, but those second and third looks hurt Roosevelt's chances at the comeback.

Griffin Yaklich did his part with nine boards and a block while trying to defend the interior while Kennedy Brown had two blocks and four rebounds. Prater led the team with four assists on Senior Day as one of four seniors honored before the game. Alongside Prater, the Lakers celebrated Brown, Khalil Haywood and Reed, all of whom had their moments to shine in their final home contest.

UP NEXT: Roosevelt closes the regular season on the road as it searches for a spot in the GLIAC Tournament. The journey begins Thursday with a 6:30 p.m. tipoff at Davenport with the Lakers one win back of the final tournament spot with two games left.