Dec. 5, 2013

Box Score

Grand Rapids, Mich. - The Grand Valley State women's basketball team had its eyes set on a second straight upset, but it was not meant to be. The Lakers opened GLIAC play on Thursday (Dec. 5) night with a 76-73 loss to Ashland at Grand Rapids Community College's Gerald R. Ford Fieldhouse.

Things got off to a rocky start for GVSU as it trailed 7-3 in the early goings. Sophomore guard Bailey Cairnduff, who scored the Lakers' first six points, ignited an 8-3 run that put them out in front at the 14:08 mark.

Over the next four minutes, the Eagles regained their lead and stretched it to eight points. GVSU narrowed the gap and eventually knotted the game up at 31-31 on a layup by freshman forward Piper Tucker with 4:06 remaining in the opening frame.

The two teams would combine to score six points to close out the first half and the Lakers trailed 35-33 at the break. It marked the first time they trailed at halftime this season.

After falling behind during the opening minutes of the second stanza, sophomore center Jill Steinmetz gave GVSU a 44-43 lead at the 14:18 mark. It remained a one-possession game until junior forward Kat LaPrairie drained a jumper with 8:04 left to play, which gave the Lakers a five-point advantage.

GVSU held Ashland off until the closing three minutes of regulation. The Eagles closed the contest out on a 10-5 run to put the Lakers away.

Tucker scored a team-high 15 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Cairnduff poured in a career-high 13 points and senior guard Dani Crandall dished out a career-best seven assists.

Junior center Daina Grazulis and junior guard Janelle McQueen also reached double figures with 11 and 10 points, respectively. The latter set a new career-high with seven boards as well.

The Lakers will be back in action on Saturday (Dec. 7) in a 12:00 p.m. EST matchup with Lake Erie at the GVSU Fieldhouse Arena.