Feb. 9, 2008

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Allendale, Mich. - Senior guard Jason Jamerson led the way with 19 points as #2 Grand Valley State upped its record to 26-0 on the year with a 74-41 victory over Northern Michigan. GVSU, which clinched the GLIAC North Division title Thursday, improved to 14-0 in GLIAC action.

Grand Valley State built a double digit lead (23-12) on a layup by freshman forward Justin Ringler at the 7:33 mark of the first half. Senior guard Joel Whymer then hit a three-pointer and L.J. Kilgore scored on a layup to a 28-12 Laker lead. Pete Trammell hit a pair of free throws at the 1:09 mark of the first half to up its lead to 19 (38-19). GVSU built its lead to 25 points (49-24) on a layup by Nick Freer with 15:32 left in the game, but Northern Michigan went on a 13-2 run to but the Laker lead down to 14 points (51-37). Pete Trammell hit a pair of free throws, followed by a layup from Ringler. Jamerson stole a pass and went in for a dunk and David Thompson took a pass from Jamerson and scored on a layup to give GVSU a 59-37 lead. Callistus Eziukwu hit one of two free throws and Thompson scored on another layup to close an 11-0 Laker run. GVSU outscored Northern Michigan 23-4 in the final 11:36 of the game. NMU was held scoreless for the final 5:43.

Jason Jamerson led GVSU with a game-high 19 points, while Joel Whymer added a season-high 16 points in 15 minutes. Jamerson was 6-of-8 from the floor and 5-of-7 from three-point land. Whymer connected on 7-of-8 from the floor. Callistus Eziukwu tallied nine points and 12 rebounds, marking the 12th time this season he has pulled down 10 or more rebounds. Eziukwu was one point shy of his ninth straight double-double. Nick Freer added eight points and Justin Ringler seven. L.J. Kilgore dished out a career-high nine assists. GVSU 50.0 percent from the floor (26-52), outrebounded NMU 37-33 and notched 11 steals with just eight turnovers. The Lakers held Northern Michigan to just 29.8 percent shooting from the floor and for the second straight game GVSU did not allow an opposing player to score in double figures.

Notes...

Streaking: 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...The last three years GVSU has had winning streaks that have spanned 17 (2005-06), 14 (2006-07) and 26 games (2007-08) under head coach Ric Wesley...Wesley picked up his 100th victory in his career and reached the 100-win mark in just 119 games. Wesley leads all active coaches in the NCAA ranks with an .837 winning percentage. GVSU is 82-9 since the 2005-06 season overall, including a 45-5 record in GLIAC action. Grand Valley State is 57-4 at home under Wesley and have won 25 straight games at the GVSU Arena.

GVSU has been known for defense during the Ric Wesley era. GVSU has held 89-of-its-119 opponents under 67 points. 68 opponents have scored less than 60 points and 35 have tallied 50 points or less. The Lakers currently lead the nation in points yielded per game (53.5). GVSU ranks second in field goal percentage defense (36.7) and third in scoring margin (21.9). GVSU is 10th in field goal percentage (50.9).

• GVSU has held 18-of-its-last-24 foes under 55 points, including nine under 50 points...GVSU has held 6-of-its-last-10 opponents under 50 points. Tiffin (12/30) was the last opponent (12 games) to score 60 points (61).