Jan. 23, 2014

Box Score |  Photo Gallery 

Allendale, Mich. - It may have been Throwback Thursday at the Fieldhouse Arena, but the Grand Valley State women's basketball team unveiled a brand-new starting lineup to snap a three-game losing streak and top Lake Superior State, 74-67.

Freshman forward Kayla Dawson, who made just the second start of her collegiate career, became the first Laker to record a double-double this season. The DePere, Wis. native scored 24 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, both of which were career-highs.

Senior guard Dani Crandall also posted a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. She also dished out five assists.

In her first start as a Laker, freshman guard Taylor Lutz poured in 14 points, collected a career-high six rebounds and matched Crandall with a game-high five assists. Sophomore center Jill Steinmetz chipped in 11 points.

Despite shooting just 35.4 percent from the field, the Lakers were able to dominate the glass, particularly at the offensive end, to make up for their shooting woes. GVSU hauled in 23 offensive boards and held a 49-36 advantage on the glass.

Dawson scored five of the Lakers' first nine points to give them a 9-4 lead at the 16:25 mark. Lake Superior State weathered the early run and outscored GVSU 22-11 over the next eight minutes of action to take a six-point lead, its largest of the first half.

With the Lakers trailing 29-25 and just over three minutes remaining in the opening stanza, Lutz sunk a three-pointer on the left wing and followed it up with a three-point play on the next offensive possession to give GVSU a 31-29 advantage. A late basket by Raven Trammell tied the game up at 31-31 and closed out the scoring in the first frame.

The Lakers came out of the locker room firing on all cylinders and scored seven consecutive points to start the second half. Senior guard Dani Crandall scored five points during the run and Lutz made a layup to put GVSU on top, 38-31.

LSSU managed to pull within two points, but Steinmetz quickly slammed the door on any hopes it had to tying the game with a layup on the ensuing possession. GVSU remained in control for the rest of the contest.

The victory brings GVSU's overall record to 9-6 and to 7-4 in GLIAC play. Next up for the Lakers is a trip to Northwood on Saturday (Jan. 25). Tip off is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. EST.