Feb. 25, 2012

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Allendale, Mich. - Grand Valley State dropped a 63-56 GLIAC decision to Ferris State Saturday (Feb. 25) night before a crowd of 2,606. GVSU, which falls to 14-12 overall and 10-9 in GLIAC action, will play at Findlay Wednesday (Feb. 29) in a GLIAC Tournament Quarterfinal contest.

Ferris State built 30-23 halftime lead as GVSU hit just 33.3 percent (8-24) of its shots from the floor in the opening 20 minutes. Grand Valley State cut into the Ferris State lead early in the second half as senior guard James Thomas was fouled on a three-point attempt and hit all three from the charity stripe to pull the Lakers within four (34-30). Junior guard Breland Hogan hit a jumper to cut the FSU lead down to two (34-32) and freshman guard Ryan Sabin hit three more free throws after being fouled a three-point attempt to pull GVSU within one (36-35) at the 14:35.

FSU answered with a 9-1 run over the next five minutes to up its lead to 45-36 and built its largest lead of the game (53-41) with 6:57 left. Senior forward Nick Waddell started a 13-5 for the Lakers with a jumper in the paint, followed by a three-pointer from Thomas. Waddell scored four straight in the paint and junior forward Tyrone Lee scored on a layup and pulled GVSU to within four (58-54) on a dunk with 1:56 left in the game. FSU pulled down three offensive rebounds and hit three free throws down the stretch to preserve the win.

Waddell led the Lakers with 16 points, while Lee scored a career-high 15 points and pulled down six rebounds. Thomas added 12 points, eight rebounds and four assists. GVSU converted just one three-point field goal (1-14) on the night and hit just 38.5 percent from the floor (20-for-52). The Lakers did convert 15-of-17 free throw attempts (88.2).