vs. Ferris State (4-15, 3-10 GLIAC)
Monday, 6:00 p.m.
Radio: WTKG 1230 AM | Listen
Video: ESPN3 | Watch | Live Stats | Game Notes

ALLENDALE, Mich.— The latest installment in a long-tenured rivalry between Grand Valley State and Ferris State University will take place on Monday, January 30^th at the GVSU Fieldhouse Arena in Allendale, Michigan. The two teams are in vastly different spots, with the Lakers in the hunt for the GLIAC North Division lead and the Bulldogs barely staying above the Division's lowest berth.
 
Fans can follow along with the game via the above links. The game will be broadcast on WTKG 1230 AM, with sixth year play-by-play man DJ Foster calling the action during the game.
 
The Lakers (14-5) have won four of their past five games, having most recently split the two games against Upper Peninsula foes Michigan Tech (49-48 loss) and Northern Michigan (56-53 win). GVSU is 9-4 in conference play on the season ahead of Monday's contest against Ferris State.
 
Conversely, Ferris State has lost six of their past seven, and is just 4-15 overall on the season. The Bulldogs are fresh off double-digit losses to Michigan Tech and Northern Michigan over the weekend, and possess the GLIAC's lowest scoring offense. Despite owning the fifth-highest shooting percentage among GLIAC teams, the Bulldogs average just 62.2 points per game, and have made the least amount of three-point baskets (54) of any team in the conference. Additionally, the Bulldogs have had issues with turnovers and personal fouls, committing the most of both categories among GLIAC teams.
 
Forward Rachel McInerney is the Bulldogs top player, posting averages of 16.3 points and 8.2 rebounds per game on 50 percent shooting from the field. The 6-1 junior is also averaging just under two blocks and two assist per contest. Sophomore guard Riley Blair is second on the team in scoring, adding in 12.7 points per game and is the team's top 3-Pt threat, connecting on 39.1 percent of her attempts from deep this season.
 
Defensively, the Bulldogs allow a conference-worst 75.0 points per contest, making them a soft opponent for a Grand Valley State squad that is averaging 64.8 points per game. Offense has not been the Lakers strongest suit this season, but GVSU features three players on the cusp of double-digits points per game in Piper Tucker, Bailey Cairnduff and Janae Langs. Langs has also positioned herself as the team's top rebounder despite standing just 5' 4", hauling in 4.9 rebounds per game. Tucker has been invaluable to the team as of late, being a strong catalyst in the team's victories against Wayne State and Saginaw Valley State, and sank the game-winning free throws against Northern Michigan on Saturday. In addition to her offensive contributions, Tucker has been making plays on the defensive end, as she notched five steals and blocked three shots in the win over the Wildcats.
 
Cairnduff has been GVSU's top deep threat this season, converting 37 percent of her tries from beyond the arc this season, and contributing steals and blocks on the defensive side of the ball as well.
 
Matching up with the Bulldog's bottom-ranked offense is the Laker's top ranked defense, which is ranked third in the country in points allowed to opponents, with 52.4 per contest. Laker opponents shoot just 36.4 percent from the field and just 30 percent beyond the arc against the team. Improving the defense from last season has also been a success of note, as Grand Valley State has held 14 of their 19 opponents below 55 points in games this season, just one less than they did during the entire 2015-16 season.
 
The matchup with Ferris State on Monday is the first of five remaining home games for the Lakers in the regular season.