Jan. 15, 2009

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Allendale, Mich. - Grand Valley State senior forward Bobby Tiernan (13) and freshman guard Wes Trammell (12) each recorded career-highs as #21 Grand Valley State claimed a 74-64 GLIAC win over Ashland Thursday night in Allendale. GVSU improves to 10-4 overall and 5-4 in GLIAC action, while Ashland falls to 7-6 and 5-4. GVSU will host Tiffin University Saturday at 3 p.m.

Ashland jumped out to an early 12-6 lead, but a 13-0 run by the Lakers helped GVSU to a 19-12 lead. Tiernan tallied a three-point play, followed by an Anthony Ianni free throw and another bucket in the paint by Tiernan. Freshman center Nick West gave GVSU a 14-12 lead with a dunk, while Jerret Smith drilled a three-pointer and Mike Boone hit a baseline jumper. Ashland cut the GVSU lead back to one (19-18), but Tiernan answered with baseline jumper. Justin Ringler upped the Laker lead to 23-18 and Wes Trammell drained a three from the corner to give the Lakers a 29-21 lead with 3:13 left in the opening half.

Ianni scored in the paint with 2:26 left to give GVSU its largest lead of the first half (31-21), but Ashland answered with a three-pointer from Blake Saunders. Wes Trammell drilled his third trey of the opening 20 minutes, but Saunders hit his fifth three of the first half to pull the Eagles within seven (34-27) at the half.

Ashland opened the second half with a bucket, but Trammell answered with his fourth three-pointer of the night. Ashland battled back and tied the game at 42-42, but Alvin Storrs hit a three to quickly give GVSU a three-point advantage. Leading 47-44, Ianni hit the offensive boards and scored on a putback, while Ringler hit a pair from the charity stripe to give GVSU a 51-44 lead. Leading 60-53 with 8:14 left, Smith hit a jumper and Toreau Brown upped the Laker lead to 11 (64-53). Storrs' free throws with 4:44 left gave GVSU its largest lead (68-54) of the game.

GVSU hit 25-of-54 shots from the floor (46.3), 7-of-18 from the three-point line and 17-of-21 from the charity stripe (81.0). The Lakers held a 39-27 advantage on the glass, including 14 offensive rebounds. Every player that played for GVSU scored at least two points and pulled down at least one rebound. Pete Trammell pulled down six rebounds and dished out five assists, while Ringler added five assists and Smith four. The GVSU bench outscored Ashland 35-2. Ashland hit 9-of-24 from the three-point line.