Feb. 21, 2007

Box Score

#12 Grand Valley State tallied a 60-47 win at Saginaw Valley State Wednesday night in a GLIAC North Division showdown. The Lakers improve to 21-5 overall and 14-3 in conference play, while the Cardinals fall to 10-15 and 7-10. GVSU will end the regular season on the road on Saturday, Feb. 24 at West Michigan rival Ferris State for a 5:30 p.m. tipoff.

Grand Valley jumped out to an early lead as senior guard Erika Ryskamp knocked down a three-pointer less than 30 seconds after the tipoff. Senior guard Taushauna Churchwell hit a jumper and junior guard Erin Cyplik added two free throws to give the Lakers a 7-0 lead just two minutes into the game. SVSU scored five of the next seven points to cut the lead to four points, but GVSU went on a 9-1 run to take a 12 point, 18-6 lead. The Cardinals came within eight points, 21-13, with 4:41 left in the first half, but a Churchwell three-pointer and layup by senior center Julia Braseth pushed the lead back to 13 points. Grand Valley held on to an 11 point, 30-19, lead at the half.

The Lakers held on to at least an eight point lead throughout the first 10 minutes of the second half. SVSU came within six points at the 8:44 mark, but GVSU went on a 6-0 run to take a 47-35 lead with 5:51 left in the game. Four straight free throws by Cyplik pushed the Laker lead to 16 points at the 1:32 mark, which was too much for the Cardinals to overcome.

Senior guard Erika Ryskamp scored 15 points and added four rebounds, while senior center Julia Braseth tallied 15 points, five rebounds, and two assists. Junior guard Crystal Zick posted 13 points, a career-high five blocks, and two steals and senior guard Taushauna Churchwell had 11 points and four assists. Junior guard Erin Cyplik pulled down a season-high 13 rebounds, while adding six points, two assists, and two steals.