March 3, 2006

Box Score

Allendale, Mich. - Grand Valley State jumped out to a 21-9 lead and never looked back en route to a 73-57 GLIAC Tournament semifinal victory over Gannon at the GVSU Fieldhouse Arena Friday night. #13 GVSU will host Ashland Saturday at 5:30 in the Fieldhouse Arena. The Laker women improved to 26-3 with the win and have now won 15 straight games. In addition, GVSU has won five straight GLIAC Tournament games.

GLIAC Player of the Year Niki Reams hit a three-pointer at the 12:03 mark of the first half to give GVSU a 21-9 lead. GVSU built a 39-22 halftime lead as Reams scored 15 points and Crystal Zick 12. The Lakers built its largest lead of the game (65-40) on an Erin Cyplik layup at the 9:09 mark.

GVSU shot 48.3 percent from the floor and outrebounded Gannon 45-31. GVSU limited GU to just 39.0 percent shooting from the floor. Niki Reams led the Lakers with 23 points, six rebounds and two assists, while Crystal Zick chipped in 14 points, four assists and five steals. Julia Braseth added 11 points and eight caroms. Erin Cyplik pulled down a career-high 11 rebounds and scored nine points, while Erika Ryskamp added eight points, eight assists and four rebounds.

Notes...GVSU has posted a 54-9 (.854) record over the past two years...The Laker women have tallied a 33-3 (.917) record in the GLIAC in the last two seasons...GVSU finished the season winning its last 13 GLIAC contests and have now won 15 straight games overall...GVSU also has a 5-game GLIAC Tournament winning streak...GVSU's 26 wins are the second-most in a single-season, two behind the record of 28 set last year...GVSU head coach Dawn Plitzuweit has guided GVSU to its three-highest single-season win totals in Laker women's basketball history. 24 in 2002-03; 26 in 2005-06; 28 in 2004-05...Plitzuweit is 89-24 (.787) as the head coach of the Lakers.