In a matchup of two of the top teams in the GLIAC, Ferris State used strong shooting in the first half to capture a 98-73 road victory over Grand Valley State in Allendale on Monday night (Jan. 30). The Bulldogs shot nearly 56 percent from the field in the opening 20 minutes and although the teams each scored 46 points in the second half, it was not enough for the Lakers to complete the comeback.

Entering the game, GVSU was tied with Findlay and Michigan Tech for second place in the GLIAC standings, while Ferris State was two games ahead of that trio in first place. The loss puts the Lakers at 13-8 on the season and 9-5 in conference play, while Ferris State wins its 13th consecutive game and improves 18-3 on the year. FSU is 12-2 in league action.

Although Grand Valley State had four players finish in double-digits, the Bulldogs had six players score 10 or more points. The Lakers were led by junior center Drake Baar, who posted a game-high 17 points on 8-of-12 shooting in 22 minutes. Sophomore center Justin Greason had a second consecutive strong second half, putting up 14 of his 16 points over the final 20 minutes. He finished with a game-high and career-high 11 rebounds in just 18 minutes, while making 7-of-10 field goal tries.

Seniors Luke Ryskamp and Trevin Alexander finished with 13 and 11 points, respectively. Alexander was limited to seven first-half minutes due to foul trouble and finished the game at 5-for-10 shooting with seven rebounds. 

For the game, Ferris State shot 50.0 percent from the field and 10-of-24 from three-point range. The Bulldogs had a decisive advantage at the charity stripe, making 32-of-41 free throws, while GVSU was 13-of-17 at the line. Overall, Grand Valley State shot 40.0 percent from the floor and 4-of-20 from beyond the arc.

Although the Lakers held a 34-22 cushion in points in the paint, it was Ferris State's outside shooting - especially in the first half - that was the story of the game. 

Grand Valley State was actually out to a 7-3 lead behind an opening layup from Baar and the big man's second three-pointer of the season. The Bulldogs answered with eight straight points to gain a lead at 11-7 with 13:15 to play; FSU would hold the advantage the remainder of the game. 

Two Chris Dorsey free throws at the 7:16 mark kept the Lakers close at 28-20, but over the next five minutes, Ferris State scored 19 consecutive points to open a 47-20 lead. A pair of Ryskamp free throws stopped the run in the final two minutes, but the Bulldogs would take a 52-27 halftime advantage. FSU was 7-of-12 from three-point range in the opening stanza and shot 55.6 percent overall, while the Lakers shot just 24.2 percent from the floor in the first frame.

Ferris State held the lead throughout the second half, although the Lakers and Bulldogs each scored 46 points over the final 20 minutes. GVSU shot much better in the second half, connecting on 20-of-37 shots for 54.1 percent. The Bulldogs also cooled off a bit, making 44.8 percent of their shots and just 3-of-12 from downtown, although they went 17-of-21 at the stripe in the second stanza.

After having a three-game home winning streak snapped, Grand Valley State heads back on the road this weekend for two more games. The Lakers are at Wayne State on Thursday night (Feb. 2) before taking on Saginaw Valley State on Saturday evening (Feb. 4). GVSU defeated both teams in Allendale less than two weeks ago.