Allendale, Mich. -- Home is where the wins are this season for the Grand Valley State women's basketball team. The Lakers, who shot 50 percent (30-of-60) from the field, routed Malone 85-60 to improve to 7-0 at the Fieldhouse Arena for the 2014-15 campaign.
 
Much like the club's previous home wins, which have been by an average of 21.3 points, this was a one-sided affair from the outset. GVSU led for all but 90 seconds and never trailed. By the 14:06 mark of the second half, the Lakers held a 29-point lead (63-34), their largest of the afternoon.
 
Sophomore forward Kayla Dawson led the charge with a season-high 20 points. The De Pere, Wisconsin native also collected nine rebounds, leaving her one short of a double-double, and collected a game-high four steals to match her previous career high.
 
The rest of the Laker starters did plenty of damage as well.
 
Junior point guard Brionna Barnett poured in 16 points on 5-of-8 shooting, nabbed seven boards, dished out four assists and tallied three steals. Starting for the second time in as many games, junior forward Jammie Botruff scored a career-high 14 points, draining six of her nine attempts. Sophomore forward Piper Tucker reached double figures for a fourth consecutive game with her 10-point, six-rebound outing. Tucker also handed out three assists.
 
All in all, GVSU's starters combined for 62 points, sinking 22 of their 40 shots, 13 of the team's 18 assists and 25 rebounds. None of them played more than 29 minutes.
 
Dawson made sure the Lakers got off to a great start. Following a layup from Botruff that put GVSU out in front for good, Dawson rattled off eight of its next 11 points. Tucker extended the run with a layup, giving the Lakers a 21-9 lead midway through the opening frame.
 
Malone managed to stay within 17 points by the 4:19 mark, but a jumper by Botruff, four freebies and a jumper from Barnett, along with a pair of triples by senior forward Kat LaPraire put the Lakers on top 46-22 with the half drawing to a close. Dawson and Barnett combined for 26 points in the opening frame.
 
Botruff and Barnett helped GVSU build its lead early in the second stanza, scoring nine of the half's first 16 points. The Lakers continued to pound Malone in the paint to finish off the victory.
 
The win lifts GVSU's overall record to 9-3 and GLIAC mark to 6-2. Coupled with Ferris State's loss earlier in the day, the Lakers maintained a share of second place in the GLIAC North Division. Northwood is also 6-2 in league play, while Michigan Tech tops the divisional standings with a 7-1 record.
 
Next up for the Lakers is a trip to the Upper Peninsula, where it will face Northern Michigan (Jan. 15) and Michigan Tech (Jan. 17). Thursday's contest is scheduled for a 5:30 p.m. tip off.