Starks earns GLIAC Player of the Week

Juwan Starks, a senior guard on the Grand Valley State men’s basketball team, earned GLIAC North Division Player of the Week honors after his performance in two home victories against Northwood and Lake Superior State. Starks averaged 22.5 points in the two games and made 10-of-13 shots from beyond the 3-point arc.

In the Lakers first game against Northwood, Starks scored 19 points in the first half on his way to a career-high 28 points. Starks made six 3-pointers, shooting 8-of-13 from the field in 27 minutes of the bench. He also hauled in five rebounds in the 94-83 win.

Against LSSU, Starks did the brunt of his damage at the end of the game, scoring the final six points for the Lakers. He hit the eventual game-winning 3-pointer with 1:04 remaining in the game. He finished the game with 17 points, seven rebounds, four assists and a career-high four steals.

For the week, Starks shot 53.8 percent from the field and 76.9 percent from 3-point range. The two games were his ninth and tenth double-digit scoring games this season. He is averaging 8.9 points per game and is second on the team in 3-pointers (37), steals (26) and blocked shots (8).

GVSU’s Langs awarded GLIAC Player of the Week

For the first time this season, a Grand Valley State women’s basketball player was featured as a GLIAC Player of the Week selection. Senior guard Janae Langs received the award after averaging 18 points, 11 rebounds and three assists in two victories over Northwood and Lake Superior State. The selection marked the first time Langs received the award in her career.

In the first game of the weekend, Langs posted a double-double with 20 points and 13 rebounds leading the Lakers to a 73-52 victory. The game marked Langs second double-double of the season. She leads the team in rebounding this season despite being the shortest player on the roster.

Langs almost repeated her performance against LSSU, falling one rebound short of another double-double. She finished with 16 points and nine rebounds in the 78-50 victory. Langs finished the weekend shooting .538 percent from the field and .571 percent from three-point territory. She is averaging 10.2 points and 5.7 rebounds per game while dishing out 72 assists this season, all leading the team in their respective categories.

Five GVSU women’s track and field athletes awarded GLIAC Athlete of the Week

After hosting the GVSU Big Meet, the Grand Valley State women’s track and field team was well represented in the GLIAC Player of the Week awards. The 4×400 meter relay team all won Women’s Track Athlete of the Week while Kyra Hull won Women’s Field Athlete of the Week.

The Lakers relay team of Chant’e Roberts, Rachael Walters, Jessica O’Connell and Angela Ritter each earned honors after narrowly edging out Southwest Baptist in the 4×400. The time of 3:43.09 broke a school record and was good enough for fastest time in the GLIAC and second fastest in Division II.

Hull earned the top spot in the weight throw with a throw of 20.07 meters (65’10.25”). The throw earned her an automatic qualification for the NCAA Division II Indoor Championships while placing her third in the GLIAC and fifth in Division II in the event.