Sports

GVL/Brian B. Sevald
Justin Ringler in the game against Northern Michigan last week.

Men seek redemption against Findlay

By Jared Greenleaf GVL Senior Reporter
2/3/2010

Following its 61-58 upset loss to Northern Michigan University on Saturday, the Grand Valley State University men's basketball team will look to rebound this Thursday against the GLIAC-leading University of Findlay Oilers.

As their 11-game winning streak was already snapped on Saturday, the Lakers (15-4, 11-3 GLIAC) will attempt to snap the defending national champion Oilers' 13-game winning streak.

During their streak, the Oilers beat the Lakers 70-57 back on Dec. 12. A win for the Lakers would tie them with the Oilers (16-3, 12-2 GLIAC) atop the conference standings.

The task, however, will not be an easy one. Findlay will enter the Fieldhouse Arena as the top-scoring offense in the league, averaging 76.8 points per game. This season the Oilers have a +17-point scoring margin over their opponents.

Junior guard Justin Ringler said the Lakers, who remain the top defensive team in the GLIAC, will have to be at their best on Thursday night.

"We're going to really have to stay focused and clamp down defensively," he said. "If you give them a run, they can really take advantage of you. We have to come out and take care of our assignments and limit them from their open shots and not break down as much on defense. They usually have four players who can play on the wing and down low, so it's going to be difficult."

Ringler added his team members are still disappointed with their play against Northern Michigan on Saturday, but look at the game as an opportunity to redeem themselves.

"There's no bigger game to come back to than this one," Ringler said. "We can't hang our heads because this one's huge with them coming in atop the conference. If we want any chance to win the conference, we have to win this one. It would be nice to end their streak."

GVSU head coach Ric Wesley said one of the biggest problems Findlay poses is their ability to knock down the 3-pointer. The Oilers shoot more than 41 percent from beyond the arc.

"They've got so many great shooters," he said. "Next to (Lake Superior State), they're right there in terms of most 3-pointers made, so that's obviously a huge part of their offense. We're going to need to be at our best defensively."

Junior center Mike Przydzial said after the winning streak was snapped, the Lakers will have a chip on their shoulder heading into Thursday.

"If there was a good time to have a slipup, it would have been our last game," he said. "We've been getting a little too lax, and if anything, that loss made us realize we still need to work hard in practice and come out and play Grand Valley basketball."

Przydzial said a victory on Thursday would be sweet revenge over the Oilers, who have won five straight over the Lakers.

"We lost to them once already (this year) and four times against them last year, so it would definitely be great to come out with the win," Przydzial said. "We have to put that into perspective with the loss against Northern Michigan, and it would be huge for us if we can pull it out."

GVSU will take on the Oilers tonight at 8 before hosting Hillsdale College at 8 p.m. on Saturday.

jgreenleaf@lanthorn.com

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