Nov. 15, 2006

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#1 Grand Valley State opened the 2006-07 season with a 55-52 win over Minnesota Duluth on Wednesday in the GVSU Fieldhouse Arena. The Lakers will host Olivet on Thursday, Nov. 16 at 6:00 p.m.

Minnesota Duluth jumped out to a 4-0 start two minutes into the game and held GVSU scoreless until Crystal Zick made a layup with 15:53 to go in the first half. The Lakers went on a 7-0 run to take a 7-4 lead at the 12:06. Grand Valley pushed its lead to nine points on six straight points to go ahead 17-8 with 7:54 left in the half. The Bulldogs cut the lead to four points, but the Lakers scored four points to increase the lead back to nine points. Minnesota Duluth went on a 9-2 run to cut the Lakers lead to 23-21, but GVSU scored the final four points to take a 27-21 lead at halftime.

The two teams battled back and forth in the second half and the Bulldogs cut the lead to 33-32 and took its first lead of the second half (37-36) at the 11:43 mark. GVSU went on a 11-3 run to regain the lead and push it to seven points, 47-40. Minnesota Duluth scored four unanswered points to trail by three points, but the Lakers quickly pushed the lead back to seven, 51-44. A Bulldog jumper with 4:46 left cut the lead to three, but an Erika Ryskamp three-point gave the Lakers a six point lead at the 3:18 mark. Two Laker turnovers and two Bulldog jumpers made it a 54-52 contest. Zick hit a free throw with one second left to seal the 55-52 win.

Zick led the Lakers with 18 points, four steals, three rebounds, and two assists, while junior guard Erin Cyplik added nine points and three rebounds. Senior guard Erika Ryskamp tallied eight points, six rebounds, and three assists and senior center Julia Braseth recorded eight points and nine rebounds. Junior guard Courtney Hammond had six points, four rebounds, two steals, and two assists and senior guard Taushauna Churchwell had six points and three rebounds.