Feb. 22, 2003

Box Score

Marquette, Mich. - #18 Grand Valley State claimed a key 74-67 road win over Northern Michigan Saturday (Feb. 22), thus securing the right to host the Wildcats next Saturday (Mar.1) in a GLIAC quarterfinal contest at the GVSU Arena. GVSU, ranked second in the latest NCAA Great Lakes Regional rankings, concluded the regular season 22-5 overall and 13-5 in GLIAC action.

Northern Michigan (16-9, 12-6 GLIAC) claimed a 38-36 halftime advantage, however, the Lakers opened the second stanza with a 22-7 run and built a 13 point lead (58-45) at the 10:25 mark of the second half. NMU, playing for the opportunity to host GVSU again next Saturday, regrouped and cut into the Laker lead in the final five minutes. GVSU clinched the win by making seven of its final eight free throws down the stretch. Grand Valley State held NMU to 29 points in the second half.

Junior center Julie Zeeff led the Laker attack with 25 points, five rebounds and five blocked shots. Senior guard Laurie Rehmann chipped in 17 points, 13 of which came in the second half, while junior guard Cori Jewett emerged with 11 points, including three three-pointers. Sophomore Janine Guastella, senior Jennifer Nielsen and sophomore Diana Voikos each tallied seven points for the victors. Norhtern Michigan hit a sizzling 24-of-28 free throws, but just one three-pointer. GVSU hit 8-of-17 from behind the arc and 14-of-21 from the charity stripe. The Wildcats held a 45-30 advantage on the glass, but GVSU forced NMU into 22 turnovers and recorded 13 steals.

Grand Valley State will return to the GLIAC Tournament after a one-year hiatus. The Lakers' 22 regular season wins equalled the most in school history for a single-season. The 1989-90 and 1997-98 squads both picked up 22 regular season wins. The most wins in a single season is 23, held by the 1977-78, 1997-98 and 1998-99 teams. The Lakers' 22 wins thus far this season surpassed the total number of victories the last two seasons combined (20).