Holland Reporter

The Grand Valley State men's basketball team began their 2024-25 season with a decisive victory over Walsh, finishing the game with a score of 105-68. The match took place on Friday afternoon at the GVSU Fieldhouse Arena. This win gives the Lakers an initial record of 1-0, while the Cavaliers start their season at 0-1.

Grand Valley State University (GVSU) demonstrated strong performance metrics, shooting 65% from the field and achieving a three-point shooting percentage of 52%, having made 13 out of 25 attempts. The team also recorded 22 assists and limited themselves to seven turnovers. In terms of rebounding, GVSU surpassed Walsh with a total of 37 rebounds compared to Walsh's 21, including nine offensive rebounds against six for Walsh. Additionally, GVSU scored more points in the paint, leading that category by an 18-point margin.

Kaden Brown was a standout player for the Lakers, scoring a career-high of 18 points in his debut game for GVSU. He successfully made seven out of eleven shots from the field and four out of eight from beyond the arc. Charles Turner also set a personal best with 14 points on five-of-six shooting overall and three-of-four from three-point range. William Dunn contributed with thirteen points and led in rebounds with six boards. Marcus Gray II added twelve points during his first collegiate appearance, making five out of six shots including two triples. Mason Docks provided ten assists in this victorious effort.

During the game, after being tied at nineteen apiece just over nine minutes before halftime, GVSU surged ahead with a run that put them up by twenty-three points at halftime. They maintained control throughout the second half despite scoring only two points in its opening minutes until Marcus Gray II helped regain momentum.

The Lakers will continue their home stretch as they face Ashland on Sunday at the same venue where they opened their season against Walsh.