Dec. 21, 2007

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Allendale, Mich. - #2 Grand Valley State claimed a tough 66-63 victory over Aquinas College Friday night at the GVSU Fieldhouse Arena as senior guard Jason Jamerson poured in a career-high 36 points. GVSU (12-0) will return to action Dec. 28 at the University of Indianapolis.

Grand Valley State built an early 23-14 lead at the 9:03 mark of the first half, but GVSU missed opportunities to build its lead with three missed shots and a pair of turnover. Aquinas chipped away at the GVSU lead and pulled to within two (29-27) with 1:12 remaining the first half. However, Jamerson drilled a three-pointer, his fourth of the first half, as time expired to up the Laker lead to five (32-27) at the half.

Aquinas opened the second half with a 6-0 run to take a 33-32 lead, but GVSU's Callistus Eziukwu hit a pair of free throws, followed by a Jamerson jumper from the paint to put the Lakers ups 36-33. Aquinas quickly regained the lead with a 9-0 run and led 42-36 before Jamerson hit a free throw. GVSU was held scoreless for five minutes. Aquinas' James Telman gave the Saints their largest lead of the game (45-37) just moment's later with a 3-pointer as the shot clock expired. Eziukwu hit a free throw to ignite a 9-1 Laker run. Justin Ringler hit pair from the charity stripe and a three-pointer by Jamerson to cut the Aquinas lead to two (46-44). Jamerson then stole a pass and drove in for a layup to tie the game. Aquinas' Jordan Torres hit a 3-pointer and then one-of-two free throws to up the Saint lead back to four. GVSU answered quickly with back-to-back layups by Eziukwu and Jamerson to knot the game at 50. Eziukwu hit a jumper from the paint to give the Lakers the lead for good with 6:51 left. Jamerson followed with another three to up the GVSU lead to five (55-50).

John Leirman hit a three for Aquinas, but Nick Freer answered with a three of his own. Four straight points by Jamerson gave GVSU its largest lead of the second half (62-55). Aquinas continued to battle and cut the Laker lead to two (62-60) and had two chances to tie the game, but Jamerson provided the knockout punch with his seventh three of the game. Jason hit one of two free throws to give Grand Valley State a 66-60 lead with five seconds left. Telman banked in a three for the final margin.

Jamerson led GVSU with a career-high 36 points, connecting on 12-of-17 from the floor, 7-of-11 from three-point land. Jason added seven rebounds in 39 minutes of action. Callistus Eziukwu added 10 points and eight rebounds. GVSU shot 47.1 percent from the floor and outrebounded the Saints 33-29. John Lierman led four Saints in double figures with 20 points and seven rebounds.