Nov. 19, 2005

Box Score

Drury, Mo. - Drury University built a big first-half lead, then held off Grand Valley State 76-69 in an early season matchup of nationally ranked NCAA-II basketball teams and Great Lakes Region powers in the fourth annual T.J. Sales Tipoff Classic Saturday afternoon at Weiser Gym.

Drury came into the contest ranked No. 1 by Women's Division II Bulletin and No. 2 by the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll, while Grand Valley State was No. 7 in both polls.

The Lady Panthers led 45-24 by the halftime break, however, the Lakers, with four starters back from a team that won 28 games and went to the NCAA D-II Elite Eight for the first time in school history last season, made a furious charge. With hot 3-point shooting and a more aggressive effort on the boards, the Lakers clawed back to cut it to five points (70-65) with two minutes remaining. However, GVSU was unable to get any closer.

Erika Ryskamp scord 20 points to lead the Lakers (1-1), who also got 15 from Erin Cyplik and 12 points and 10 rebounds from Julia Braseth.

GVSU will play Southern Arkansas Sunday at 2 p.m.