Nov. 15, 2008

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Allendale, Mich. - Grand Valley State opened its season in impressive fashion, totaling a 77-43 victory over visiting Saint Joseph's on Saturday afternoon (Nov. 15) in Fieldhouse Arena. The Lakers were led by three players in double figures, while nine GVSU players tallied at least four points. Grand Valley State improves to 1-0 and takes on Lake Erie on Tuesday (Nov. 18).

Just as in the exhibition game against Michigan State on Sunday (Nov. 9), the Lakers started two freshman guards in Jasmine Padin and Emma Veach, but fellow newcomer Maddie Burnett also was in the starting lineup for the Lakers on Saturday.

Padin started the scoring for GVSU quickly, draining a three-pointer just over a minute into the game. The Lakers took a 7-5 lead on a jumper from Veach at the 17:17 mark and would not trail again the rest of the game. Grand Valley State knocked down consecutive three-pointers from senior forward Kim Wyngaard and freshman Kelly Kretz to extend the lead to 15-7.

Ahead 17-9, the Lakers would score the next 11 points, including four from sophomore Kara Crawford. Padin's second triple of the game would give GVSU a 28-9 advantage midway through the opening half. The Lakers would hold Saint Joseph's scoreless for the final two minutes of the half and a pair of free throws by Wyngaard and a jumper from junior Lauren Buresh gave GVSU a 41-20 lead at halftime.

Grand Valley State shot the ball well in the opening frame, connecting on 42.9% (15-of-35) of its shots and making four three-pointers. Defensively, the Lakers forced Saint Joseph's into 19 turnovers and the Pumas shot just 33.3% (8-of-24) in the first 20 minutes.

GVSU would open the second half by scoring the first 10 points, with Veach collecting four points in that stretch. At that point, the Lakers were on top 51-20 with 17:21 remaining in the game. With the score at 65-38, Grand Valley State scored the next 12 points, including triples from Wyngaard and Silas to cap the 12-0 run. The Lakers led 77-38 after that decisive run, closing out the home and season opener with a victory.

Wyngaard led all players with 16 points and nine rebounds. The team's lone senior was 4-of-4 at the line and nailed a pair of three-pointers. Crawford tallied 13 points and eight rebounds, while shooting 6-for-9 from the floor.

In her first collegiate game, Veach was one rebound shy of a double-double, with 10 points and nine rebounds. Veach collected six offensive rebounds, four assists and three steals, which were all team-highs. Padin ended with six points, three assists, two steals, and a pair of rebounds.

Junior Taylor Silas added nine points and eight rebounds off the bench in 17 productive minutes, while Kretz totaled eight points and four boards.

The Lakers out rebounded Saint Joseph's, 58-30, and Grand Valley State collected 23 offensive boards. GVSU shot 42.3% (30-of-71) for the game, while holding the Pumas to 30.0% shooting (18-of-60).