March 1, 2008

Box Score

Allendale, Mich. - #2 Grand Valley State opened GLIAC Tournament action with a 63-49 quarterfinal victory over Hillsdale College Saturday afternoon at the GVSU Fieldhouse Arena. Grand Valley State, now 31-0 on the year, will host Lake Superior State Friday, March 7 at 6 p.m. in GLIAC Tournament semifinal action.

GVSU built an 18-12 lead over the Chargers midway through the first half, but Hillsdale went on an 8-2 run to tie the game at 20-20. Senior center Callistus Eziukwu hit a jumper in the paint, followed by jumper from sophomore guard David Thompson and a three-point play from Eziukwu to up its lead to 27-20. Freshman forward Justin Rinler hit a pair of free throws to close out the 9-0 run by the Lakers (29-20). Three free throws cut the Laker lead to six, but Ringler scored on a driving layup. Two free throws again cut the Laker lead to six, but a layup by Ringler was followed by a jumper from Eziukwu and Ringler then closed out the scoring in the first half with a pair of free throws to give GVSU a 37-25 lead.

GVSU opend the second half with a 10-2 run to open a 47-27 lead. Senior Nick Freer scored on dunk and senior guard L.J. Kilgore hit a pair of three-pointers around a layup by senior guard Jason Jamerson.

Eziukwu led GVSU with 20 points and five rebounds, while Ringler tied his career-high with 17 points off the bench. Ringler was 11-11 from the free throw line. Jamerson scored five points, pulled down six rebounds, dished out three assists and notched three steals. GVSU held Hillsdale to jut 29.5 percent shooting from the floor and 29 points below their season average of 78 points. GVSU outrebounded the Chargers 35-26 and the Laker bench outscored Hilldale's bench 26-11. The Lakers shot 50.0 percent from the floor in the first half. GVSU is now 16-5 all-time in GLIAC Tournament action and the current senior class is 6-2.

The GVSU senior class improved to 105-19...GVSU head coach Ric Wesley has an .846 winning percentage...GVSU is 87-9 since the 2005-06 season overall, including a 49-5 record in GLIAC action. Grand Valley State is 60-4 at home under Wesley, including a current school-record 28-game home court winning streak. Wesley has led GVSU to three straight GLIAC North Division titles (2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08).

• Defense: GVSU has been known for defense during the Ric Wesley era. GVSU has held 93-of-its-124 opponents under 67 points. 72 opponents have scored less than 60 points and 36 have tallied 50 points or less. The Lakers currently lead the nation in Scoring Defense - 53.5 ppg.; Scoring Margin - 22.6 and Field Goal Percentage Defense - 36.3 percent.

• GVSU has held 22-of-30 foes under 55 points, including 10 under 50 points...GVSU has held 7-of-his-last-13 opponents under 50 points and prior to the FSU game GVSU had held 15 straight under 58 points.