Jan. 30, 2003

Box Score

Allendale, Mich. - Grand Valley State dropped a 62-59 decision to Northern Michigan Thursday (Jan. 30) night in a GLIAC home tilt. GVSU drops to 9-10 overall and 4-7 in GLIAC action, while NMU improves to 12-7 overall and 8-3 in league action.

Grand Valley State jumped out 21-10 lead after 16 mintues of action behind the inside play of senior center Jason Bauer. Bauer dominated the paint in the opening 20 minutes with 14 points and seven rebounds. However, NMU outscored the Lakers 10-3 in the final four minutes to pull within four (24-20) at the half. The second half was a seesaw affair that saw the lead change hands 10 times. NMU's Steve Watts hit back-to-back three-pointers that gave the Wildcats the lead for good (54-52) with 4:59 left in the game. Freshman guard Courtney James hit a three-pointer with 1.2 seconds left in the game, but NMU was able to inbounds the ball and collect the win.

Bauer led GVSU 18 points and 13 rebounds, while junior forward Justen Naughton added 12 points and five caroms. Freshman Eric Voisin notched 10 points and eight rebounds. GVSU shot just 33.3 percent (21-63) for the game, but outrebounded the Wildcats 49-36. Steve Watts led NMU with 14 points, while Milan Azanjac chipped in 10 points and nine rebounds.

Grand Valley State will host Michigan Tech Saturday (Feb. 1) in a GLIAC doubleheader that will begin at 1 p.m.