HOUGHTON, Mich. — No. 2-ranked Grand Valley State shot 61 percent from the field to outscore Michigan Tech, 71-54, today in men's Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference basketball at the SDC Gym. The Huskies got off to a slow start and never fully recovered in losing their first home game of 2007-08.

GVSU used a 17-0 run midway through the first half to build up a 22-point margin. The Huskies battled back with the help of three 3-pointers in less than two minutes to cut the margin to 14. Fedrick Bowe swished two free throws with 23 seconds to go in the stanza to make the score 41-29 at the break.

Senior Tim Strom scored his only seven points of the game within the first four minutes of the second half to bring the Huskies within nine at 45-36. GVSU answered with the next eight points. Robby Springborn's second 3-pointer of the game at the 7:26 mark kept Tech within 12.

The Black and Gold were then victim to a couple bad bounces on layup attempts and the Lakers continued to shoot well to finish off their win.

GVSU's Jason Jamerson finished as the game's leading scorer with 21 points — 17 in the first half. Callistus Eziukwu added 19 points.

The Huskies were led by Springborn's 17 points. Senior Josh Makela added 11 points off the bench. Sean Geary had five points and team highs of four rebounds and four assists.

"We didn't execute the game plan we practiced all week," said Tech head coach Kevin Luke. "When you miss assignments and responsibilities against a good team like Grand Valley, you're going to have a tough time."

Tech shot 35 percent from the floor and was outrebounded by Grand Valley State, 37-27.

Michigan Tech (6-7 overall, 1-4 GLIAC) will travel to Midland, Mich., on Thursday (Jan. 10) for a GLIAC game against Northwood. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m.