March 6, 2013

Box Score

Allendale, Mich. - Grand Valley State extended its season on Wednesday night (Mar. 6) by winning a GLIAC Tournament quarterfinal game over Hillsdale, 73-57. The Lakers, the #4 seed in the tournament, forced 18 turnovers from fifth-seeded Hillsdale and scored 27 points off those miscues, winning their 19th game of the season.

GVSU, now 19-8 on the year, won its second straight game after defeating Ferris State on Saturday night to earn the right to host Hillsdale on Wednesday. The Chargers' season ends with a 17-10 mark. Grand Valley State had defeated Hillsdale 67-58 in mid-December in the Chargers' home gymnasium and the rematch on Wednesday was quite close until the Lakers pulled away in the second half.

With the win, Grand Valley State heads to Houghton, Mich. for the GLIAC Semifinals and Finals. The Lakers will take on #8 Lake Superior State, who provided the only upset in the first round, defeating #1 Wayne State 70-68 in Detroit. In the other game, #2 Michigan Tech will host #3 Findlay. Game times are yet to be determined for Saturday's semifinal games.

Five GVSU players reached double figures on Wednesday, including three senior starters and two underclassmen reserves. Point guard Breland Hogan and guard Tony Peters each poured in 15 points, while forward Tyrone Lee scored all 13 of his points in the second half. Sophomore Ryan Majerle and freshman Ricardo Carbajal each added 10 points.

The first half was a back-and-forth affair that saw six lead changes and the score tied twice. GVSU rattled off seven straight points - all coming from Peters - to jump out to a 9-2 lead early. Hillsdale, trailing 16-9 midway through the half, nailed consecutive three-pointers on an 8-0 run to take a 17-16 advantage, the Chargers first lead of the contest.

Carbajal converted a layup on a nice pass from Peters to give the Lakers a 27-26 advantage with 2:17 remaining. Those were the final points of the first half, sending GVSU into the locker room with a one-point cushion. Grand Valley State shot 42.3 percent from the field in the opening 20 minutes, while Hillsdale connected at a 43.5 percent rate.

A layup from Lee in the opening minute of the second half put the Lakers up 29-26 and Hillsdale would not lead again in the game. The turning point in the game happened around the 14-minute mark. Hillsdale's Brandon Pritzl hit a three-pointer to make it a 36-33 game with 14:02 to play. From there, the Lakers made their run.

Eight seconds later, freshman Darren Kapustka buried a corner jumper and on the next trip, Majerle buried a three-pointer to push GVSU out to a 41-33 advantage with 13:09 to play. A few minutes later, Lee scored on a long jumper and was fouled while shooting. He converted the free throw for an old-fashioned three-point play.

Exactly 30 seconds after burying the jumper, he scored on an incredible trick shot off the glass and was again fouled. He again made the free throw for back-to-back old-fashioned three-point plays to put Grand Valley State on top by a 47-33 advantage. The 11-0 run spanned nearly four minutes and GVSU was now completely in control of the ballgame.

Hillsdale would not get back within single digits after those plays and the Lakers were nearly perfect at the free throw line in the second half, making 18-of-20 freebies. For the game, GVSU was 20-of-23 at the line for a tidy 87.0 percent. The Chargers were 8-of-10.

Ball control was a huge key, as Grand Valley State only committed seven turnovers and forced 18 HC miscues. The 27-5 edge in points off turnovers was a major factor in the victory, but the Lakers also owned a 28-17 bench point advantage. GVSU (45.3 percent) outshot Hillsdale (43.5 percent), while Hillsdale led in three-pointers, 9-5.

Hogan made 5-of-8 field goals and 5-of-6 free throws for his 15 points, to go along with three steals and no turnovers in 29 minutes. Peters was 5-of-12 from the field and made a trio of three-pointers. He added five boards. Lee, held scoreless in the first half, notched 13 points in the second half and six points in the critical game-changing run.

Majerle buried a pair of three-pointers, while Carbajal was 5-of-10 from the field and pulled down five rebounds along with his 10 points. Junior Rob Woodson supplied six points, five rebounds, three assists, and three steals.

GVSU has defeated Lake Superior State twice this season. Grand Valley State won 71-62 at LSSU on Jan. 17 and picked up an easy 82-57 win on Feb. 14 in Allendale.