Feb. 19, 2011

Box Score

Allendale, Mich. - Despite trailing by 11 points with 7:34 remaining in regulation on Saturday (Feb. 19), #22 Grand Valley State rallied back to tie the game with three late free throws from Jasmine Padin and head to overtime, where the Lakers captured a big 62-58 victory over Wayne State. GVSU outscored the Warriors 32-17 over the final 7:34 of regulation and the five minutes of overtime, which gave head coach Janel Burgess her first career overtime victory. Sophomore center Alex Stelfox totaled a career-high 26 points in Grand Valley State's first overtime win since 2006.

The Lakers put themselves in quite a hole, scoring only 17 points in the first half, their lowest scoring half of the season. And with 7:34 to play, Wayne State owned a comfortable 41-30 lead. GVSU began to make its run, however, after Padin buried a three-pointer and scored on a jumper in the paint on consecutive possessions. The Warriors jumped back ahead 44-35 before Stelfox scored five points in a 7-0 Laker run that made the score 44-42 with 3:43 to play.

Wayne State answered with a jumper to get a four-point lead, but sophomore Briauna Taylor then scored on a driving layup and was fouled. She converted the three-point play to pull GVSU with one at 46-45 with 1:13 remaining. The Warriors looked as if they may have closed out the game as guard Lena Thomas made a tough jumpshot in the paint over Padin, putting WSU up 48-45 and only 14 seconds showing on the clock.

After a Laker timeout, Padin was fouled at the top of the arc attempting a three-pointer. With four seconds remaining, the junior point guard calmly stepped to the line and swished all three free throws, tying the score and energizing the crowd. Wayne State was unable to get off a shot on the ensuing possession, forcing the second overtime GVSU had played this season. The Lakers lost to Lake Superior State by a 79-72 final on Jan. 8 in Allendale.

This outcome would be different. Stelfox and Padin hooked up on the first two Laker possessions in the extra session for a pair of buckets, with one of the plays turning into a three-point trip, as Stelfox made a layup and a free throw. Grand Valley State was on top 53-50 before Stelfox found senior Elizabeth Van Tiflin open on the right wing. Van Tiflin nailed the three-pointer, giving the Lakers a six-point cushion with 2:53 to play. Wayne State would knock down four straight free throws and pull within 56-54.

On GVSU's next possession, Padin missed a tough runner to the hoop, but Stelfox tipped the ball in off the glass to put the lead back at four points, 58-54. The Warriors immediately answered with a jumper from Deanna Crumpton and had the ball out of bounds with 19 seconds to play. On the inbounds pass, Padin stole the ball near halfcourt and scored an easy fast break layup for a 60-56 lead. WSU's Thomas knocked down a jumper on the other end, cutting the deficit to two points.

After being fouled, Padin missed the front end of a 1-and-1 at the line, but Van Tiflin secured the rebound and was fouled with four seconds to play. Recognized before the game on Senior Day as the team's only senior, Van Tiflin put a fitting end to the afternoon by burying both free throws and clinching the 62-58 victory.

It was the first overtime victory for Grand Valley State since Dec. 18, 2006, when the Lakers defeated Emporia State, 73-71, on a neutral court. The last time GVSU won an overtime game at home was March 1, 2003 in a 76-68 victory over Northern Michigan. Burgess also clinched her first overtime win in her four seasons at Grand Valley State and notched her second 20-win season in four years.

With the win, GVSU improves to 20-5 on the year and 13-5 in GLIAC play, while Wayne State falls to 8-16 overall and 7-10 in the conference. The Laker win, coupled with a Lake Superior State loss, puts Grand Valley State in tie for second place in the GLIAC North Division and the conference overall. GVSU has now won three straight games and seven of its last eight contests.

Prior to the late-game dramatics, Wayne State led for nearly the entire game, taking a 7-5 lead at the 16:31 mark of the first half. GVSU did not regain an advantage until Stelfox's jumper in overtime. The Warriors led 24-17 at halftime, as Grand Valley State shot just 30.0 percent in the opening 20 minutes.

For the game, GVSU shot 40.7 percent from the floor and made 5-of-16 three-pointers. The Lakers made 5-of-8 shots in overtime and 3-of-4 free throws. Wayne State shot 45.1 percent from the field and was 5-of-13 from long range. Grand Valley State knocked down 13-of-16 free throws and won the rebounding battle, 32-31. Despite committing 19 turnovers, GVSU forced 21 Wayne State miscues and owned a 17-11 edge in points off turnovers.

Stelfox was terrific for the Lakers. She scored 20 of her game-high and career-high 26 points after halftime, making 12-of-20 shots overall. The center added a game-high seven boards, three assists, and three steals. Padin supplied 18 points (her highest total since Jan. 2 when she scored 18 against Aquinas) and dished out seven assists, while recording four thefts. She turned the ball over just one time in 39 minutes of action.

Van Tiflin played one of her best games this season, totaling 10 points and tying Stelfox with seven rebounds. She made 3-of-4 field goals, both three-pointers, and both free throw attempts, while grabbing four offensive boards. Briauna Taylor added six points and four steals, as she was one of just five Lakers to score on Saturday. Sophomore guard Lauren Stodola did not score, as she only attempted two shots, but did total five rebounds, three assists, and a steal while playing all 45 minutes.

The Lakers close out the regular season at Ferris State next Saturday (Feb. 26) in a 3:00 p.m. showdown with the Bulldogs. GVSU defeated Ferris State by a 69-62 count at the 131 Showdown on Jan. 29 in Van Andel Arena.