#9 Michigan State Stunned

[KFDM COOP]

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- Division II Grand Valley State stunned No. 8 Michigan State, the Big Ten favorite, 85-82 in two overtimes Friday night in an exhibition game.

Jason Jamerson had 19 points for the Lakers, while Justin Ringler had 16, including a three-point play at the end of regulation. Callistus Eziukwu of Grand Valley State had eight of his 15 points in the second overtime.

The Spartans shouldn't have been shocked at the loss since they trailed the Lakers for more than 38 minutes before escaping with a win last season. This time, Grand Valley controlled the game for most of its 50 minutes.

The Lakers, an Elite Eight team last March, rallied from a 65-63 deficit in the final 15 seconds of regulation and were down 75-71 in the last minute of the first overtime. Grand Valley State never trailed in the second overtime.

Chris Allen led Michigan State with 15 points, while fellow freshman Kalin Lucas had 12. Drew Neitzel, the preseason Big Ten Player of the Year, failed to score until a 3-pointer bounced in with 13:43 left in the second half. Neitzel finished with 12 points but was just 3-for-15 from the field.

The Lakers finished with a 44-41 rebounding edge and a 27-12 advantage from 3-point range.

The night began with a pep rally for the Michigan State football team on the eve of its matchup with archrival Michigan. Coach Mark Dantonio and co-captain Travis Key spoke to the sellout crowd before the coaches and players formed a tunnel to welcome the basketball team.

[Guest abovetherim]

[KFDM COOP]

That what i said.

[Guest coachacola]

Grand Valley State's head coach is Ric Wesley:

Prior to his arrival at SMS, Wesley spent four years as an assistant coach on the staff of head coach Grey Giovanine at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. Wesley helped direct the Cardinals' offensive attack as LU punched up the best scoring average in the Sun Belt Conference during the 1996-97 season, and Lamar turned in its best win total and longest stretch of winning seasons in over a decade.

http://gvsulakers.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/wesley_ric00.html

[Guest abovetherim]

Thanks for the notice there coachacola. There are ex-coaches from Lamar all over the country and most are doing well!

[Guest ROC FAN]

That's why we play the games! Never know!