vs. Trinity Christian (Friday, 8:00 p.m.)
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Grand Valley State plays its second game in three days on Friday night (Nov. 18), as the Lakers welcome Trinity Christian to Allendale for an 8:00 p.m. contest. It is the second game of GVSU's current three-game homestand; the Lakers are coming off a 91-36 home victory over Great Lakes Christian in the team's home opener on Wednesday (Nov. 16) in the Fieldhouse Arena.
 
The Lakers' 55-point win on Wednesday night was GVSU's first of the year. Grand Valley State is now 1-2 on the year. Trinity Christian (1-3) also recorded its first victory of the 2016-17 season on Wednesday night, topping Olivet Nazarene by a 92-87 final score.
 
Great Lakes Christian actually scored the first seven points of the game on Wednesday and the Lakers took control from that point. GVSU outscored the Lakes 42-4 through the rest of the first half, taking a 42-11 halftime advantage. In the second half, Grand Valley State outscored GLC by a 49-25 margin, cracking the 90-point mark for the first time since also scoring 91 points on Nov. 28, 2015 against Salem International.
 
For the game, GVSU shot 55.6 percent from the field and made 11-of-23 three-pointers, while owning advantages in every specialty category. The Lakers were on top in points in the paint (36-6), points off turnovers (32-9), bench points (42-3), and second chance points (13-6). Grand Valley State scored all 12 of the game's fast break points.
 
The Lakers forced Great Lakes Christian into 26 turnovers and just 24.5 percent shooting, including a 5-for-21 mark from three-point range. Five GVSU players reached double-digits, led by sophomore Zach West's flawless shooting performance. The second-year guard was 5-for-5 from the field and a perfect 4-for-4 from downtown for a career-high 14 points. He added five boards, two assists, and two steals.
 
Junior Drake Baar notched career-highs of 12 points and eight rebounds, while rejecting a pair of shots in only 16 minutes. Sophomore Justin Greason posted 11 points, while senior guards Luke Ryskamp and Juwan Starks each supplied 10 points.
 
GVSU improved to an unblemished 13-0 in home openers under head coach Ric Wesley and will try to even their season record against Trinity Christian on Friday night.
 
Trinity Christian - whose mascot is the Trolls - lost its opening three games of the year, two of which were one-possession games. The Trolls fell at Wilberforce 74-71 and to Siena Heights 74-73. Trinity Christian dropped an 81-60 score to Cardinal Stritch last week to move to 0-3.
 
The following day, the Trolls faced Division I Valparaiso in an exhibition game and hung tough with the Crusaders, losing 89-75. Trinity Christian's remaining schedule is mixed with teams from different NCAA divisions and affiliations.
 
They have five players averaging double-figures in scoring, as the Trolls post 74.0 points per game, although they are allowing 79.0 points per game so far. They've made 41 three-pointers in the four games, with eight different players connecting on a trifecta.
 
Senior guard/forward Jordan Perry leads the Trolls with 19.3 points and 7.0 rebounds per game and has taken 23 free throw attempts in four games. Junior guard Caleb Jonkman is 10-for-26 from three-point range and is posting 11.8 points per game and a team-high 16 assists. Junior guard Juozas Balciunas is averaging 11.0 points and 4.8 rebounds per game for Trinity Christian.
 
After Friday's contest against the Trolls, GVSU will host Grace Bible on Monday night (Nov. 21) in a 7:00 p.m. start in Allendale. The Lakers will travel to Rensselaer, Ind. for the St. Joseph's Thanksgiving Tournament next weekend (Nov. 25-26).