Jan. 6, 2007

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Allendale, Mich. - #10 Grand Valley State used a 13-4 scoring run to end the first half and then a 20-0 scoring run early in to second half en route to an 87-49 GLIAC victory over Northern Michigan Saturday afternoon at the GVSU Fieldhouse Arena. GVSU improves to 12-2 overall and 4-2 in GLIAC action.

GVSU led 26-16 when junior guard Joel Whymer hit a three-pointer with 4:03 left in the first half to start a 13-4 scoring run that ended with a 39-20 halftime lead for the Lakers. In addition to the 3-pointer by Whymer, freshman forward Wilbur Ampey and junior guard Jason Jamerson each scored four points, while junior center Callistus Eziukwu added two points in the run.

"We did some nice things offensively in the first half, but I really thought our defensive pressure was what helped with the 13-4 run to close the first half," said head coach Ric Wesley.

Northern Michigan hit three 3-pointers and converted a three-point play to pull within 12 (44-32) with 16:46 left in the game. However, Jamerson scored 10 points and senior forward Mike Hall seven during the next 5:04 to push the Laker lead to 29 points (61-32). Freshman guard David Thompson followed with a 3-pointer to push the Laker advantage to 64-32 with 10:31 remaining in the game.

"We did a nice job at both ends of the floor during that stretch early in the second half to answer what Northern Michigan did in the opening the three minutes," said Wesley. "

GVSU built its largest lead of the game (81-40) when Ampey hit a free throw with 3:32 left in the game.

GVSU shot 49.2 percent for the game (30-61), including a sizzling 56.7 percent (17-30) in the second half. The Lakers dished out 20 assists and turned the ball over just nine times. In addition, GVSU blocked six shots, recorded eight steals and held a 49-25 rebounding advantage over the Wildcats. Grand Valley State held a 34-12 scoring advantage in the paint, and outscored NMU 14-0 in fast break points. The GVSU bench outscored NMU 37-19.

Jason Jamerson led the way with a season-high 25 points, just one shy of his career-high. Jamerson pulled down eight rebounds hit four 3-pointers. Freshman forward Wilbur Ampey scored a career-high 11 points, while Joel Whymer added 11 points in the scoring column. Freshman guard David Thompson chipped in nine points.