Nov. 16, 2007

Allendale, Mich. - Grand Valley State made a late run in the season-opener at Kentucky Wesleyan College Friday night (Nov. 16), but it wasn't enough as KWC claimed a 68-64 victory at the Owensboro Sportscenter. Grand Valley State will return to action Sunday (Nov. 18) at Bellarmine College.

Grand Valley State jumped out to an early 4-0 lead as sophomore forward Nicole Carr hit a pair of free throws and scored on a layup. However, Kentucky Wesleyan took its first lead of the game (8-7) on a jumper by Latasha Henry. The Panthers led 34-24 after 20 minutes of action. KWC led by as many as 13 (56-43) in the second half, but GVSU went on a 19-9 run and cut the KWC lead down to three (65-62) with 2:46 left when Crystal Zick hit a three-pointer. Kentucky Wesleyan hit one of two free throws to up the lead to four (66-62), but Kim Wyngaard scored after an offensive rebound to cut the lead to two (66-62) with 43 seconds left. KWC ran the clock down and missed a jumper, but an offensive rebound an putback by Amanda Harnist with four seconds remaining gave KWC a 68-64 lead with seven seconds left.

Senior guard Crystal Zick led GVSU with 21 points and seven assists, while fellow senior Erin Cyplik added 15 points and eight rebounds. Junior Kim Wyngaard tallied a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds. Sophomore Nicole Carr chipped in nine points and six rebounds and freshman Kara Crawford seven points and four rebounds.