Jan. 26, 2011

Box Score

Allendale, Mich. - Grand Valley State raced out to a 49-31 halftime lead on the strength of a 16-0 run early in the game and the #22 Lakers captured a 77-62 victory over Urbana on Wednesday night (Jan. 26) at Fieldhouse Arena. GVSU shot better than 64 percent in the first half and an even 50 percent for the game, as four Lakers reached double figures in the team's 14th victory of the year.

These teams met in the season opener on Nov. 12 of last year at Urbana, with the Blue Knights leading by 14 points in the second half before Grand Valley State rallied for a 73-67 victory. On Wednesday night, there was no need for a late rally, as GVSU led by as many as 24 points in the second half. Grand Valley State improves to 14-4 with the victory, while Urbana falls to 5-11 on the year.

The Blue Knights actually led 8-6 less than four minutes into the contest before GVSU went on the 16-0 run that opened the game up for the Lakers. It started with back-to-back jumpers from sophomore center Alex Stelfox and followed a minute later by a three-pointer from junior Jasmine Padin. Grand Valley State then did some damage at the free throw line, with Stelfox and twins Brittany Taylor and Briauna Taylor each knocking down two free throws apiece.

A layup from Briauna Taylor made the score 22-8 at the 13:13 mark, capping the 16-point streak for GVSU that took just 2:50 off the clock. The Blue Knights pulled to within nine points at 31-22, but Stelfox scored on a layup and a jumper to push out to a 12-point advantage. Freshman Tori Klewicki-McNutt then sandwiched a layup and a jumper around a layup from Padin, giving the Lakers a 41-23 lead with 4:15 remaining. Grand Valley State took the same 18-point cushion into halftime with a 49-31 lead. The 49 points were the most scored by the Lakers in a half this season.

Consecutive layups from Briauna Taylor early in the second stanza put GVSU ahead by 17 points at 53-36, but the Blue Knights pulled to within 11 points on a few occasions. When Urbana made the score 58-47 with 13:19 remaining, the Lakers responded with 13 straight points to take back control of the ballgame. Stelfox converted a jumper in the paint, which were followed by two free throws from Brittany Taylor. Again, Stelfox scored on a jumpshot from the baseline, which sophomore Lauren Stodola followed with a pair of free throws.

The Taylors then put the capping points on the 13-0 run, as Briauna Taylor drained a trifecta and Brittany Taylor scored on a layup, making the score 71-47 with just over eight minutes remaining. It was GVSU's biggest lead of the game and more than enough to finish off the Blue Knights.

Grand Valley State shot 64.3 percent from the field and an even 50.0 percent for the game, while also making 16-of-21 free throw attempts for a 76.2 percent clip. The Lakers held Urbana to just 39.0 percent shooting, but the Blue Knights stayed in the game thanks to their outside shooting. Urbana made 9-of-16 three-pointers, but turned the ball over 17 times, which led to a 25-17 GVSU advantage in points off turnovers. Grand Valley State also held double-digit advantages in points in the paint (34-18) and bench points (23-13), while the Lakers held a 37-29 rebounding advantage.

Stelfox led all players with a game-high 20 points. She made 9-of-14 field goal attempts and pulled down seven boards to go with a pair of assists. Briauna Taylor made 6-of-10 shots and 2-of-3 three-pointers to tally 16 points, five rebounds, and four steals. Brittany Taylor was close behind with 15 points on 9-of-10 free throws, while adding four boards.

Klewicki-McNutt reached double figures for the fourth time this season, notching 10 points on 5-of-9 shooting. Padin totaled eight points, six rebounds (one shy of her career-high), five assists, and two steals off the bench. Senior Elizabeth Van Tiflin, while not attempting a field goal, tied Stelfox with a team-high seven rebounds.

The Lakers head to Van Andel Arena in downtown Grand Rapids for their next game. On Saturday night (Jan. 29), Grand Valley State will face Ferris State in the '131 Showdown' at 6:00 p.m. in a pivotal conference match-up for these two rivals.