Jan. 12, 2009

Box Score

Big Rapids, Mich. - Grand Valley State continued its eight-game winning streak by totaling a 78-63 victory at Ferris State on Monday night (Jan. 12). The Lakers, who improved to 11-2 overall and 7-1 in the GLIAC, have not lost since falling to FSU on Dec. 1 in their only conference loss of the season.

In the first meeting of the season, which was also the GLIAC opener for both teams, the Bulldogs topped GVSU, 74-64, in Fieldhouse Arena. That contest was the first conference game for the Laker freshmen, as five GVSU rookies logged minutes in the loss. Since that defeat, Grand Valley State has put together its current eight-game win streak, including seven straight victories in league play.

A jump shot by Caitlin Hutchinson put Ferris State (3-9, 1-7 GLIAC) ahead late in the first half, 27-26. The Lakers responded with a bucket from sophomore forward Kara Crawford to take a 28-27 lead they would not relinquish. GVSU would continue its 12-0 run with eight points from freshman guard Emma Veach, including a pair of three-pointers. Ferris State answered with five straight points of its own to send the game to halftime with a 38-32 score.

The Bulldogs cut the GVSU lead to 40-34 less than a minute into the second half before the Lakers made their run to open up the score. Grand Valley State totaled a 28-10 surge, capped off by back-to-back layups from freshman forward Jessica Trambley. With 9:11 remaining, GVSU held a commanding 68-44 lead.

Junior Lauren Buresh converted a layup with 7:33 left to up the Laker lead to 74-48. FSU responded with a 12-0 run to cut the advantage to 74-60 with 3:40 remaining, but it was not enough for the home team. Grand Valley State had earned its revenge over the only conference team to defeat the Lakers so far this season.

For the game, GVSU shot 44.7 percent from the floor and connected on seven three-pointers. The Lakers forced 21 Ferris State turnovers and held the Bulldogs to 27.2 percent shooting (6-of-22) from three-point range. Grand Valley State totaled 22 points off FSU's 21 miscues.

Veach led all scorers with a game-high 22 points and tallied seven rebounds. She shot 10-of-18 from the field and made a pair of three-pointers. Crawford added career-highs in points (18) and assists (five), while making 7-of-12 field goals and pulling down four rebounds.

Senior Kim Wyngaard chipped in with 11 points and four rebounds, while freshman point guard Jasmine Padin tallied six assists and a career-high six steals. Sophomore Elizabeth Van Tiflin secured a team-high eight rebounds, including six offensive boards. Trambley notched eight points and six rebounds in 11 productive minutes off the GVSU bench.

The Lakers return to Fieldhouse Arena for a 6:00 p.m. contest with Ashland on Thursday night (Jan. 15). GVSU, 5-1 at home this season, defeated the Eagles, 72-63 on Dec. 6.