Feb. 9, 2006

Box Score

#16 Grand Valley State claimed a 72-61 GLIAC victory over Northwood in Midland Thursday night. The Lakers improve to 19-3 overall and 11-2 in GLIAC play, while Northwood falls to 6-16 and 1-12. Grand Valley State will return home to host #7-ranked Findlay in a key GLIAC showdown on Saturday, Feb. 11 at 3:00 p.m. at the GVSU Fieldhouse Arena. Findlay is ranked #4 in the Great Lakes Region, while GVSU is #5.

The two teams battled back and forth to open the game with neither team taking more than a five point lead in the first 17 minutes of play. Northwood hit six straight three-pointers to end the first half and take a 34-32 lead in the locker room.

Grand Valley came out strong in the second half as they went on a 13-0 run to take a 51-43 with 11:23 left in the game. GVSU pushed the lead to 12 points on back-to-back baskets by Jerry Wallace. Northwood cut the Laker lead to eight points with 5:20 left, but GVSU scored five straight points to go ahead, 69-56 and seal the win.

The Lakers had 10 different players score for them in the win. Sophomore center Callistus Eziukwu led GVSU with 16 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks, while junior center Dan Redder added 12 points, five rebounds, and two steals. Senior forward Jeff Grauzer recorded nine points and five rebounds and senior guard Courtney James and senior guard Jerry Wallace each added seven points. Redshirt freshman Pete Trammell posted six points and four assists and junior forward Kyle Carhart tallied six points and five assists.

Grand Valley recorded 18 offensive rebounds and tallied 36 points in the paint. The Lakers forced 22 Northwood turnovers and converted them into 21 points.