DETROIT -- The Wayne State University men's basketball team (12-7, 9-6 GLIAC) improved its chances for the GLIAC Tournament with a hard fought 65-62 win over Grand Valley State (13-9, 9-6 GLIAC) on Thursday night inside the Matthaei.  The Warriors did not lead until the 4:53 mark but that would be enough as WSU held on for a three-point victory.

HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Lakers sprinted out to a 9-2 lead following a Chris Dorsey jumper at the 16:50 mark.  Two successful free throws from Michael Lewis (Ann Arbor, Mich. / Huron) tied the game at 9-9 with 14 minutes remaining in the first half.  An 8-0 GVSU run gave the visitors a 17-9 advantage at the 10:37 mark.  George Spencer (Detroit, Mich. / Belleville) connected from deep to pull WSU within one, 17-16, with 6:28 left to play.  The momentum switched back to the GVSU bench after a Luke Ryskamp bucket put the Lakers up 23-18 at the four-minute mark.  Three points from Karim Murray (Detroit, Mich. / Western International) cut the deficit to 23-21 with just under three minutes left in the stanza.  The Wayne State defense continued to increase the pressure and WSU eventually tied the game, 23-23, at the 1:41 mark following two freebies from Lewis.  The Warriors stayed close but was unable to collect the go-ahead basket and GVSU led 27-25 at halftime.

- A Key jumper tied the game at 29-29 early in the second half but GVSU answered with two quick buckets to lead 33-29 at the 18-minute mark.  A Trevin Alexander tip-in extended GVSU's lead to 37-31 with 16:20 remaining.  After the Warriors cut the lead to four on two occasions, Ryskamp hit a three-pointer at the 14-minute mark to give GVSU a seven-point lead, matching its largest of the game at the time.  Marcus Moore (Lansing, Mich. / Waverly) knocked down a triple to trim the deficit to six, 46-40, with 12:31 remaining.  A long two-point jumper from Spencer at the 9:47 mark pulled WSU within four, 48-44.  A pair of free throws from Booth made it 50-47 with 8:49 left to play.  The rally continued with four points from Key to pull within a point, 52-51, at the 7:18 mark.  Moore tied the game at 52-52 with two free throws at the 6:33 mark.  Spencer gave the Warriors their first lead with a trey with 4:53 left to play.  A running layup from Booth as the shot clock expired kept WSU on top with just four minutes to play.  WSU would lead by at least three points down the stretch but two missed WSU free throws gave the Lakers a chance to tie as time expired but the prayer went unanswered.

WSU LEADERS
- Key led WSU with 14 points, while Booth scored 13.  Spencer contributed 12 points and Moor filled the stat sheet with 10 rebounds, seven points and seven assists.

GVSU LEADERS
- Dorsey finished with a game-high 17 points, while Alexander chipped in 16 points and nine rebounds.

UP NEXT
- The Warriors will look to slow down first-place Ferris State in Saturday afternoon.  The game can be seen on Comcast 900 or heard on WDTK (1400 AM / 101.5 FM).  The six inductees of the 2017 Hall of Fame Class will be recognized during halftime.