March 12, 2005

Box Score

Allendale, Mich. - #16 Grand Valley State (27-5) jumped out to a quick 14-4 lead and never looked back en route to an impressive 95-69 victory over Indianapolis Saturday night in the second semifinal of the NCAA DII Great Lakes Regional. GVSU, which has advanced to its first-ever regional final, will play defending Great Lakes Regional champion Quincy (24-8) Monday March (14) at 7 p.m.

Grand Valley State built a 25-13 lead on a three-pointer by sophomore guard Erika Ryskamp at the 11:03 mark. From that point on Indianapolis would get no closer than 10 points for the final 20 minutes. The Lakers led 48-32 at the half. The Greyhounds made a little run early in the first half and cut the Laker lead to 12 (52-40), but freshman guard Crystal Zick hit a three-pointer, freshman forward drilled a pair of free throws and senior guard Janine Guastella hit a three from the right corner to build the Laker lead back to 19 (60-41). GVSU built a 25 point lead on a three-pointer by freshman guard Courtney Hammond.

"We really played unselfish basketball tonight and I thought our patience on offense was really key in the first half," said third-year mentor Dawn Plitzuweit. "We played good team defense and forced them into some tough shots," added Plitzuweit.

All five Laker starters scored in double figures, led by junior All-American candidate Niki Reams who tallied 25 points. Sophomore center Julia Braseth notched her second double-double in a week with 17 points and 10 points. Crystal Zick added 14 points and four assists, while Janine Guastella added 12 points and Erika Ryskamp 13 points and seven assists. GVSU shot a sizzling 56.6 percent from the floor (30-53), and converted 25-of-35 free throws. The Lakers recorded 10 steals and forced UI into 19 turnovers.

GVSU has now won 22-of-its-last-23 games and its 27 wins in a single-season, school-record. The Lakers are now 7-2 in postseason play under Plitzuweit and have advanced to the Sweet 16 for the first time in school-history.