Feb. 18, 2006

Box Score

Hillsdale, Mich. - #13 Grand Valley State built a 32-21 halftime lead and held Hillsdale scoreless for the first 8:47 of the second half en route to a 55-41 victory Saturday afternoon. GVSU improves to 22-3 overall and 15-1 in GLIAC action. GVSU clinched the GLIAC North Division title with the win and has earned the right to host the GLIAC Tournament. Hillsdale falls to 17-8 overall and 10-5 in GLIAC action.

GVSU never trailed in the matchup of the third and eighth-ranked teams in the Great Lakes Region. Junior center Julia Braseth scored six of the Lakers' first nine points and sophomore Crystal Zick added seven as GVSU built a 19-7 lead just 5:52 into the contest. Braseth's bucket at the midway point of the first half gave the Lakers their largest lead (28-14) in the opening half and gave her 12 points in the half. GVSU held a 16-8 rebounding advantage in the first half and converted 12-of-22 field goals and 4-of-5 three pointers.

Braseth opened the second half with a pair of free throws, followed by a Zick three and another Braseth basket in the paint. Ryskamp hit a pair of free throws at the 16:17 to give the Lakers a 41-21 lead. Hillsdale didn't hit the scoring column in the second half until a pair of free throws by Gretchen Rocco with 12:13 left in the game. Hillsdale was never able to get any closer than 13 points for the remainder of the game.

Braseth led GVSU with 20 points and nine rebounds, while Crystal Zick added 15 points. Erika Ryskamp chipped in seven points. Erin Cyplik pulled down eight rebounds and scored four points, while Niki Reams hauled in eight boards. GVSU, which held Hillsdale 31 points below its per game scoring average, limited the Chargers to just 35.4 percent shooting from the floor. GVSU held a 37-23 rebounding advantage and outscored Hillsdale 17-4 from the charity stripe.

Grand Valley State will host Saginaw Valley State Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 6 p.m.