March 11, 2006

Box Score

Grand Valley State advances to the NCAA Great Lakes Region Championship game for the second straight season with a 91-70 win over Northern Kentucky Saturday night. The Lakers will play the winner of the other semifinal game between host Drury and Lewis on Monday, March 13 at 7:00 p.m. CT. GVSU improves to 29-3 overall and has won 18 straight games.

The Lakers scored the first four points of the game and never looked back en route to the win. GVSU's first 11 baskets were layups, including nine straight to take a 22-13 lead with 12:42 in the first half. Grand Valley pushed the lead to 15 points, 36-21, with 8:01 remaining.

With 3:47 left in the first half and the Lakers up 42-30, a tornado hit about 10 miles away, causing play to stop for about 30 minutes. After the delay, GVSU went on a 9-4 run to take a 51-34 lead at the half.

Grand Valley opened the second half with a 14-4 run to take a 27 point lead (65-39). GVSU took its largest lead of the game, 31 points, on a Jenny Steffen free throw with 11:51 in the game.

Junior guard Erika Ryskamp led the Lakers for the second straight game with 25 points on 10-of-12 shooting. Senior forward Niki Reams recorded 23 points, three rebounds, and two assists, while sophomore guard Erin Cyplik tied her career-high with 17 points, seven rebounds, and three steals. Sophomore guard Crystal Zick tallied her second straight double-double, posting 15 points and a career-high 11 assists. She also added eight rebounds.

GVSU scored 54 points in the paint and 29 points off of 18 NKU turnovers. The Lakers shot an outstanding 73.3% in the first half and 62.5% in the game. Grand Valley set a school record with its 29 wins, edging out last season's 28-6 overall record.

Grand Valley is the defending NCAA Great Lakes Region Champions and is looking for the school's second ever Great Lakes Region Championship.