Dec. 7, 2011

Box Score

Midland, Mich. - Grand Valley State dropped a 66-44 decision at Northwood Thursday (Dec. 7) night. The Timberwolves led 36-32 after 20 minues of action, but outscored the Lakers 28-12 in the final 20 minutes for the victory. GVSU falls to 4-2 overall and 2-1 in GLIAC action, while Northwood improves to 5-3 and 2-1. GVSU will host Rochester College Saturday (Dec. 10) at 3 p.m. in the GVSU Fieldhouse Arena.

Northwood build an early 12-2 lead just 4:30 into the game and led 22-13 at the the 11:15 mark. However, a layup from junior forward Tony Peters, a jumper from senior forward Mike Przydzial and a layup from junior guard Breland Hogan pulled the Lakers within three (22-19). A free throw from freshman center Darius Norman pulled GVSU within two (26-24) at the 4:10 mark of the first half, but Northwood quickly upped the lead back to nine. Norman finished the first half with a jumper and a conventional 3-point play to pull the visitors back within four (36-32) after 20 minutes of play.

Freshman guard Ryan Sabin hit a jumper to open the second half, but that would be as close as the Lakers would get for the remainder of the game. Northwood scored 10 straight points to take a 46-34 lead and built a 55-36 lead at the 9:37 mark of the second half. NU held a 61-39 advantage at the 4:36 mark as the Laker managed just seven points through the first 15:24.

James Thomas led GVSU with 12 points and seven rebounds, while freshman Darius Norman chipped in a career-high nine points. Junior guard Breland Hogan added eight points. GVSU hit just four shots in the second half and converted just 32.7 percent from the floor for the game (16-for-49). GVSU hit a season-low three from behind the arc, but did manage to outrebound Northwood 34-26.