The Grand Valley State University men’s basketball team (1-0) tipped off the new season with an absolute tone-setting performance in game one, rolling past Ashland (0-1) 74–55 in a much-anticipated Friday matchup.
GVSU came out dialed in from the jump. The first bucket of the year came on a second-chance finish inside from sophomore forward Cam Regnerus. The Lakers set the tone early with their physicality and relentlessness on the glass.
A quick burst from the bench stretched the lead early, followed by a 3-pointer in transition. A steal and layup on the next possession pushed the margin to 10–2 and forced Ashland to burn early timeouts. GVSU’s defense was unbreakable, from sniffing out passing lanes to the relentless off-ball pressure.
From there, the veteran backcourt took control. Senior guard Mason Docks ran the show, looking comfortable and loose in his first showing of the season. He scored a game-high 19 points while barely missing from the field, sinking multiple 3-pointers. Every time Ashland threatened to cut the lead down, Docks answered with a big shot to steady things.
The complementary cast around him played a crucial role. Senior guard Trevor Smith Jr. came off the bench and immediately gave the Lakers a spark, knocking down a 3-pointer. In addition, transfer junior guard Antaune Allen made his first points in a Laker uniform, nailing back-to-back 3-pointers in the first half to blow the game open and push the lead. By the time the first half was over, GVSU led 38–22 and had complete control of the game.
“I thought our guard play was really good,” said head coach Cornell Mann. “We tried to play through Ethan Alderink a little bit because he garners a lot of attention, and when that happens, our guards are freed up to do some things, and (that) was good.”
Defensively, this looked like the standard for the Lakers for the rest of the game. They held Ashland to low percentages from both the field and the 3-point line, contesting nearly every jumper. GVSU piled up steals and blocks, turning 17 Ashland turnovers into valuable points. Mann complimented his team’s defensive play.
“Aside from some fouls, I thought the defense was really good,” said Mann. “It was consistent, and that’s what we need.”
The second half never really felt in doubt. Once again, Docks opened scoring after the break with another 3-pointer. Even when Ashland briefly narrowed the lead, the Lakers’ offense responded with a decisive run that pushed the margin above 20.
Sophomore guard Marcus Gray II chipped in a personal scoring surge midway through the half, and the Lakers’ depth allowed them to keep fresh legs on the floor while still maintaining pressure on both ends.
At the final buzzer, GVSU had a comfortable 19-point win and a perfect record to start the season.
This game was won by the Lakers’ experienced guards and a deep rotation that competes on the glass.
“We’ve got a lot of guys who can help us,” said Mann. “If their mindset is right, I think we’ve got a great season ahead of us.”
The Lakers aim to capitalize on the momentum from this game as they face a tough road trip. The men’s basketball team will return to action Friday in South Dakota against Minnesota State University (3-1).
“I think it gives our guys confidence when we’re on the road,” explained Mann. “They understand you’ve got to play through some things, and we also feel like (our) defense travels.”
