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ALLENDALE, Mich. -- Preparations and warmup games are in the books. It's time to start the grind that is the GLIAC conference season. The Lakers (3-3, 0-0 GLIAC) start the conference calender with cross-state rival Wayne State on Thursday (Nov. 30) at 7:30 PM in Detroit. The Lakers, who have had three of their first six games this season decided by two points or less, have played a one-possession game in their GLIAC opener in each of the last four seasons.
The Lakers lead the all-time series with Wayne State, 48-32, and have won four of the last five meetings. Last season the teams split their head-to-head matchups with the home team coming out on top in each game. The Lakers had a game-tying three fall short in the final seconds of the contest in Detroit last year, snapping a four-game win streak by the Lakers over the Warriors. Grand Valley State got a 63-56 win at home last year.
Despite the .500 record, the Lakers could easily be 5-1 to start the year. They fell on a three-pointer with two seconds left in the season opener against UMSL and a pair of free throws by Lynn with four seconds left dropped the Lakers, 69-68, with a game-winning buzzer beater rimming out as time expired. The Lakers first win of the year was decided by just two points over Quincy, giving the impression a cardiac kids-themed season may be in store. Each of the last four years the Lakers conference opener has been decided by one score. Twice the Lakers went to overtime with Ashland and last year GVSU edged Findlay by three points to open up conference play.
This will be just the second true road game of the year for the Lakers, who have averaged 73.7 points per game on .422 shooting. The Lakers have had at least two players score in double figures in every game. Central Michigan transfer
Hunter Hale has led the way so far, leading the team in total points (72), per-game average (12.0), made three-pointers (14), and assists (21).
Ben Lubitz is also averaging double figures (10.2) to start his sophomore campaign.
Zach West took over a starting role after the first two games of the season and has flourished, posting 40 points, 26 rebounds, and eight steals in his four games as a starter.
Freshman
Jake Van Tubbergen will also look to gain valuable experience. After missing the first four games of the year due to injury, the Holland, Michigan native made his Laker debut last Friday against Lynn - scoring five points and collecting six boards - and played around 15 minutes in both games over the weekend. He joins a big man rotation that has seen
Justin Greason and
Drake Baar shoulder much of the early load. The two have nearly identical statistics through six games with Baar scoring five more points (56 to 51) and Greason leading in rebounding by one (33 to 32).
The Warriors are off to a 1-3 start this season, but have played some tough competition in No. 24 Kentucky Wesleyan and No. 3 Bellarmine on their non-conference schedule. Wayne State beat Division I Detroit in an exhibition to start the season and their lone regular season win came in blowout fashion, 90-65, over the ranked Kentucky Wesleyan side. Ronald Booth has been the main scoring threat to this point, averaging 15.8 points per game on .400 shooting. Veteran big man Chuck Key has imposed his will early this year, collecting over seven rebounds a game while averaging 11.8 points per contest. With two veteran scoring threats, the Lakers know they are up for a challenge on the defensive end.
Familiarity, rivalry and increased conference standings come into effect this week as the Lakers look to snap a two-game skid and get the GLIAC season off to a positive start. Follow all the action with live stats updating on GVSULakers.com and hear the live play-by-play on ESPN 96.1 FM in Grand Rapids and everywhere on the iHeart Radio app.
