Feb. 4, 2012

Box Score

Allendale, Mich. - Grand Valley State shot nearly 60 percent in the second half to nail down a victory over Lake Superior State on Saturday (Feb. 4) in the GVSU Fieldhouse Arena. The home Lakers scored 44 second half points to preserve the 75-63 win over LSSU.

The visiting Lakers took an early 6-5 lead over GVSU with 15:33 to play in the first half, but that was the last time they would lead. A jumper from junior Tony Peters made it a 7-5 game and GVSU pushed their lead out to seven shortly thereafter, as a tip-in from freshman Ryan Sabin off his own miss made it a 15-8 GVSU advantage with 11:36 remaining in the half. Lake Superior State batled back, scoring the next seven points, five of them from Derek Billing, to tie the game at 15 with nine minutes to play.

LSSU was within one at 20-19 with only six minutes to play in the opening stanza, but two free throws from Sabin and a trifecta from senior James Thomas made it a five point advantage. GVSU moved the lead out to seven at 28-21, but again LSSU battled back, and it was only a two point game at halftime with GVSU leading 31-29.

The teams were even in almost every category in the first half, both getting 10 points in the paint and nine from their bench, while LSSU shot 42.9 percent from the field and GVSU was at 39.3 percent. Thomas poured in 10 first half points for GVSU while Sabin and junior Tyrone Lee each had four rebounds.

GVSU began the second half on fire as Thomas hit another three-ball only 24 seconds into the half and then a jumper from junior Breland Hogan made it a 36-29 game. GVSU would steadily lengthen their lead, hitting a game-high 20 point advantage with 5:13 to play after a pair of free throws from sophomore Rob Woodson made it a 66-46 game. LSSU chipped away, ultimately cutting the lead to 12 points, but GVSU closed out the game with solid free throw shooting to preserve the victory.

GVSU shot 57.9 percent (11-for-19) from the field in the second half, including four three pointers. For the game, GVSU shot 46.8 percent from the field compared to LSSU's 37.5 percent. After going into the locker room down 19-15 in the battle for rebounds, GVSU ultimately held a 35-31 advantage on the glass at the conclusion of the game.

Thomas led GVSU with 18 points and nine rebounds while Hogan scored 13 points and dished out six assists. Senior Nick Waddell had 11 points while Sabin finished the game with 10 points and five rebounds. Lee poured in seven points and grabbed seven caroms.

LSSU was led by Derek Billing, who had 28 points and eight rebounds despite making only five shots. He was a perfect 16-for-16 from the charity stripe in the contest.

GVSU moves to 12-9 overall and 8-6 in the GLIAC with the victory while LSSU falls to 10-11 with a 5-9 mark in the conference.

The Lakers will be back in action on Thursday (Feb. 9) when they take on Ashland at 8 p.m. in the GVSU Fieldhouse Arena.