Jan. 17, 2009

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Allendale, Mich. - A balanced team effort, including five Lakers recording double figures in points, helped Grand Valley State defeat Tiffin, 78-54, on Saturday (Jan. 17). GVSU held the Dragons to 35.0 percent shooting and forced 18 TU miscues, as the Lakers have won 10 straight games and improve to 13-2 overall, 9-1 in the GLIAC.

Grand Valley State has not suffered a loss since dropping a 74-64 contest to Ferris State on Dec. 1. Since then, GVSU has rattled off 10 straight wins, including nine consecutive victories in conference play. It is the longest win streak since the 2005-06 season, then the Lakers closed the season with 22 straight wins en route to the Division II National Championship.

Early in the game, GVSU held a one-point lead before a quick 5-0 run, including a layup from sophomore forward Kara Crawford and a three-pointer from senior Kim Wyngaard. The Lakers extended the lead to 18-8 on a triple from freshman point guard Jasmine Padin. Another Padin trifecta three minutes later put GVSU on top, 23-11.

The Laker defense put together a terrific stretch midway through the first half, holding Tiffin (4-11, 3-7 GLIAC) scoreless for 5:26, in which the Dragons shot 0-for-7 from the floor. Grand Valley State led 35-21 with 1:24 remaining in the half, before TU closed the opening 20 minutes with five straight points. GVSU led at the break, 35-26.

Tiffin got as close as eight points in the second half before the Lakers started to pull away. Ahead 52-40 with 13:17 left, GVSU ran an out-of-bounds play to perfection, with Crawford throwing a baseball-style pass from one baseline to Elizabeth Van Tiflin, who was streaking down the floor, uncovered. Van Tiflin's defender had been screened on the play, leaving Van Tiflin alone to make the wide-open layup and push the Laker lead to 14 points.

Ahead 58-42, GVSU tallied eight straight points to remove all doubt from the game. Crawford made a jumper and two free throws during the run, freshman Emma Veach nailed a pair of free throws, and a Padin layup gave the Lakers a commanding 24-point edge.

Nearing the four-minute mark, Van Tiflin made the front end of a pair of free throws and missed the second attempt. She retrieved her own missed shot, scored on the put back, and was again fouled. Van Tiflin connected on the free throw, tallying a four-point play in just two seconds of game time.

Four Laker starters scored in double digits, led by Padin with 16 points, three assists, three rebounds, and four more three-pointers. On Thursday night against Ashland, Padin knocked down a career-high eight trifectas. Her 12 triples in consecutive games ties the school record, previously set by Erin Cyplik from Jan. 11-13, 2007, who made a dozen three-pointers against Lake Superior State and Northern Michigan.

Wyngaard added 16 points and five rebounds, connecting on 7-of-11 field goals. Veach totaled 13 points and a game-high five assists, while Crawford supplied 12 points and five boards. Junior forward Lauren Buresh came off the bench to notch a season-high 12 points.

Grand Valley State shot 47.4 percent from the floor and made seven triple tries. The Lakers connected on 81.0 percent (17-of-21) of their shots at the free throw line. GVSU outscored Tiffin in the paint, 36-18, and turned 12 offensive rebounds in 20 second chance points.

The Lakers continue their four-game home stretch next Thursday (Jan. 22) with a 6:00 p.m. game against North Division rival, Northwood.