Lady Lakers pull away late against Huskies
Courtesy of MTU Athletics
ALLENDALE, Mich. – Briauna Taylor scored 30 points to lead Grand Valley to a 76-64 win over Michigan Tech in women’s basketball action Saturday (Jan. 12).
“A lot of credit goes to Grand Valley. They played well today,” said head coach Kim Cameron. “From our end we can’t give up 76 points and expect to win.”
Neither team could create much separation over the opening 20 minutes that featured four ties and six lead changes. Grand Valley’s largest lead in the first was six at 11:50. Tech rebounded to hold its largest lead of four five minutes later.
The two teams entered the locker room with GVSU clinging to a two point lead 37-35.
The Lakers out-scored the Huskies 39-29 over the final 20 minutes due in large part to cold shooting by Tech. The Huskies shot 27-percent (9-34) including 4-15 from behind the arc.
Sophomore Jillian Ritchie made a pair of free throws with four minutes left to pull the Huskies within three points. Grand Valley closed the game on a 14-5 run for a 12 point win, 76-64.
“We put ourselves in a good position to make a run with four minutes left, but we couldn’t get the step we needed,” said Cameron.
Senior Emma Veach scored 12 points shooting 5-of-10 with two 3-pointers to lead the Huskies. She grabbed nine rebounds, four offensively, and had seven assists.
Senior Sam Hoyt and freshman Mackenzie Perttu each finished with 11, and sophomore Jillian Ritchie added 10.
Tech out-rebounded Grand Valley 43-39. GV finished with advantages in both blocks (8-1) and steals (8-4).
Tech (9-5, 7-3) will host Wayne State Thursday (Jan. 17).