Feb. 11, 2006

Box Score

#14 Grand Valley State defeated Findlay, 70-39 in a GLIAC crossover Saturday afternoon at the GVSU Fieldhouse. The Lakers have won nine straight games, improving to 20-3 overall and 13-1 in GLIAC play. Findlay falls to 11-13 and 4-10. Grand Valley State will return home on Thursday, Feb. 16 at 6:00 p.m. as they host Michigan Tech.

GVSU jumped to an early 8-2 lead as Erika Ryskamp completed a four-point play. The Lakers pushed their lead to 10 points (17-7) on a Niki Reams jumper with 11:21 left, but the Oilers scored six straight points to cut the lead to four points. Crystal Zick knocked down a three-pointer to put the Lakers up 24-15 with 5:53 left and GVSU went increased the lead to 11 points (28-17) on a Nicole Carr layup. Grand Valley scored the final four points of the first half to take a 34-20 lead into the locker room.

Grand Valley pushed their lead to 20 points on a Niki Reams three-pointer in the opening two minutes of the second half. GVSU held on to a double-digit lead throughout the final 20 minutes of play. The closest the Oilers got in the second half was within 14 points with 11:02 left. Grand Valley scored the next eight points to go up 53-31. The Lakers pushed the lead to 28 points on a Courtney Hammond jumper with 3:56. GVSU scored the final five points of the game to seal the 70-39 win.

Sophomore guard Crystal Zick led the Lakers with 14 points, four assists, three rebounds, and two steals, while junior guard Erika Rsykamp added 13 points and three assists. Senior Niki Reams recorded 11 points, six rebounds, five assists, and a career-high five steals. Junior center Julia Braseth posted 11 points, nine rebounds, and two steals. Sophomore forward Courtney Hammond added four points and three rebounds.

Grand Valley forced 26 Findlay turnovers, which lead to 24 Laker points. GVSU tallied 38 points in the paint and 21 bench points. The Lakers pulled down 39 rebounds, 18 on the offensive glass.