Feb. 14, 2008

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Allendale, Mich. - Grand Valley State outscored Lake Superior State 53-26 in the second half Thursday night and cruised to an 87-51 GLIAC victory at the GVSU Fieldhouse Arena. The Lakers improved to 27-0 on the year and 15-0 in GLIAC action. GVSU will return to the hardwood Saturday at Wayne State.

GVSU jumped out to a 20-5 lead to open the game, but Lake Superior State went on a 9-0 run to pull within six (20-14). However, a layup by senior guard Jason Jamerson was followed Callistus Eziukwu layup and Pete Trammell jumper to push the GVSU lead to 12 (26-14). GVSU eventually went into the lockerroom with a 34-25 lead. 28 of the GVSU's 34 points came in the paint in the opening 20 minutes.

Grand Valley State opened the second half with an 8-0 run. Callistus Eziukwu hit a pair of free throws, followed by a three-pointer from Trammell. Jamerson added another three-pointer 17 seconds later to push the GVSU lead to 17 (42-25). Grand Valley State led 55-40 with 10:17 left in the game when the Lakers went on a 19-7 run to blow the game open and build a 74-47 advantage. The Lakers ended the game with another 12-4 run.

GVSU, which outscored LSSU 56-20 in the paint, shot 55.9 percent from the floor, including 60.0 percent (18-30) in the second half. The Laker defense held Lake Superior State to just 36.2 percent shooting from the floor. GVSU held a 36-26 rebounding advantage and tallied 14 steals. The Lakers also dished out 20 assists on 33 baskets.

Callistus Eziukwu led GVSU with 23 points and 11 rebounds. The double-double was his ninth-in-the-last-12 games and his 12th of the season. Pete Trammell added 17 points, four assists and four steals, while Jason Jamerson chipped in 14 points.

Grand Valley State has won a school-record 26 straight games. In addition, the 26 straight wins to open a season is the best start for a DI or DII school in the state of Michigan...GVSU has won a school-record 30 straight regular season games and 25 straight home games.

Notes...GVSU head coach Ric Wesley is 101-19 (.841) in his fourth year at the helm of the Laker basketball program. Wesley picked up his 100th victory third-fastest (119 games) in DII history and eighth fastest in the history of college basketball history. Wesley leads all active coaches in the NCAA ranks with an .842 winning percentage. GVSU is 83-9 since the 2005-06 season overall, including a 46-5 record in GLIAC action. Grand Valley State is 58-4 at home under Wesley, including a current school-record 26-game home court winning streak...GVSU has been known for defense during the Ric Wesley era. GVSU has held 90-of-its-120 opponents under 67 points. 69 opponents have scored less than 60 points and 35 have tallied 50 points or less...GVSU has not yielded 60 points since 12/30/07 when Tiffin scored 61 points (13 games).