Jan. 28, 2006

Box Score

#15 Grand Valley State picked up a key 74-59 win at Ashland Saturday afternoon. The Lakers improve to 17-3 overall and 10-1 in the GLIAC, while Ashland falls to 13-8 overall and 8-3 in GLIAC play. Entering the game, each team lead their respective division in the conference and with the win, the Lakers snapped the Eagles seven game win streak.

Grand Valley jumped out to a 4-0 lead and went up by eight points on a layup by Crystal Zick at the 16:36 mark. Ashland battled back, going on a 13-2 run to take a three point lead with 10:23 left in the first half. The two teams battled back and forth, before the Lakers went on an 8-0 run to take a 29-21 lead with 5:42 remaining. The Eagles cut the lead to four points with 3:11 left, but GVSU closed out the first half with a 9-2 run to take a 42-31 lead into the locker room.

Ashland cut the Laker lead to five points (42-37) as they scored the first six points of the second half. GVSU then went on an 11-2 run to take a 14-point lead on a jumper by Julia Braseth with 10:57 remaining in the game. The Lakers remained in complete control of the rest of the game, holding onto a double-digit lead throughout most of the second half.

Grand Valley shot 50.0% from the field (26-of-52). The Lakers forced 17 Eagle turnovers, while committing just 11.

GVSU was led by junior guard Erika Ryskamp who tallied a career-high 26 points, while adding three rebounds and two assists. Senior forward Niki Reams recorded her second straight double-double as she had 23 points, 13 rebounds, four steals and three assists. Sophomore guard Crystal Zick added 14 points, seven assists, three rebounds, and three steals. Junior center Julia Braseth chipped in seven points and two rebounds.

The Lakers will continue their four-game road stint in another key GLIAC game at Lake Superior State on Thursday, Feb. 2 at 5:30 p.m.