Dec. 14, 2002

Box Score

Allendale, Mich. - Grand Valley State fell to St. Joseph's 90-89 on Saturday in the GVSU Fieldhouse Arena. The Lakers were inches away from tying the ballgame with the clock running out as Courtney James knocked down a shot from deep, but James was ruled to have a toe on the line. GVSU was up for most of the second half but could not hit the free throws down the stretch to secure the win. James led the Lakers with 25 points on 9 of 13 shooting from the field, including 4 of 7 from downtown. Grand Valley falls to 3-6 while St. Joseph's in now 4-5 on the season.

The Lakers were up 37-35 at the half as both teams struggled from the field. GVSU started quickly in the second half as they went on a 7-0 run to boost the lead to 9 just a minute into the period. St. Joseph's faught back and knotted the game at 49 with 15:40 remaining. Again GVSU went on a run to boost the lead to 10, but St. Joseph's regained control and answered to tie the score at 71-71 at the 8:24 mark. The two teams battled for the last five minutes but it wasn't until the 2:19 mark that St. Joseph's took the lead. GVSU had the ball down by one with 30 seconds remaining but Hodges Smith stole a pass and went the length of the floor to boost the lead back to 3 with 12 second remaining. The Lakers then called a timeout out at halfcourt with 7 seconds left on the clock. GVSU inbounded the ball to James and after a spin move just outside the arc he knocked down the shot that was ruled to be a two.

James led GVSU to 57% shooting in the second half including 54% from three-point land. The Lakers shot 47% from the field for the game, but were only 13 of 28 from the free throw line.

Fellow freshman Al Mans tallied 18 points for GVSU while Justen Naughton added 10 points and 11 rebounds. Jason Bauer posted 13 rebounds, six points, and six assists for the Lakers.

Grand Valley will continue GLIAC play on Monday, December 16, as they travel to Northwood at 7:30 pm.