Jan. 17, 2008

Final Stats |  Photo Gallery 

Allendale, Mich. - #2 Grand Valley State claimed a 67-48 victory over GLIAC foe Mercyhurst Thursday night to set up a key league tilt Saturday at 3 p.m. versus #13 Gannon. Grand Valley State enters the contest 19-0 overall and 7-0 in GLIAC action, while Gannon is 15-1 and 7-0.

Mercyhurst kept things tight for most of the first half, but the Lakers were able to build a 27-16 lead with 1:48 left. Five straight Mercyhurst points cut the Laker lead to six (27-21), however, a late layup by Callistus Eziukwu upped the GVSU lead to eight at the half (29-21). Mercyhurst cut the GVSU lead to four (32-28) early in the second half, but that is as close as they would get. Pete Trammell hit a layup, followed by an offensive rebound and putback by freshman Toreau Brown. Trammell hit another jumper and L.J. Kilgore hit a three-pointer to up the Laker lead to 41-28. Mercyhurst hit a three of their own, but the Lakers put together another 9-0 run to build a 50-31 lead. Justin Ringler's jumper at the 4:23 mark gave Grand Valley State its largest lead (64-41) of the game. GVSU outscored Mercyhurst 16-4 in the paint and 12-3 off turnovers.

Senior center Callistus Eziukwu led GVSU with his second straight double-double (12 points-11 rebounds). Pete Trammell added 10 points, five rebounds and five assists, while Jason Jamerson and L.J. Kilgore added nine points apiece. GVSU shot 45.3 percent from the floor (24-53) and limited Mercyhurst to just 31.0 percent (18-58). The Lakes outrebounded Mercyhurst 43-40 and recorded nine steals.

Notes...Grand Valley State has won 19 straight games heading into Saturday's game with Gannon. The 19-0 start is the best start in school history. In addition, the 19-game winning streak to open the season tied the record for most consecutive wins to open a season among all DI and DII schools in the state of Michigan. Western Michigan opened the 1975-76 season with 19 consecutive wins. GVSU's current 19-game winning streak is the longest in school history as a member of the NCAA DII. GVSU won 21 straight games during the 1976-77 season as a member of the NAIA en route to a 30-4 season. The last three years GVSU has had winning streaks that have spanned 17 games (2005-06), 14 games (2006-07) and 19 games (2007-08) under Wesley.

GVSU head coach Ric Wesley improved to 93-19 at GVSU. The Lakers are 75-9 since the 2005-06 season, including a 38-5 record in GLIAC action. Grand Valley State is 54-4 at home under Wesley. GVSU has won 22 straight home games.

The 2007-08 Grand Valley State senior class set the record for most wins during a four-year career (93-19) with its 67-48 win over Mercyhurst. The 1976-77 senior class finished their careers with a 92-29 mark.