It was just an exhibition game, but the Grand Valley State University women’s basketball team flashed glimpses of its potential.

GVSU proved its ability to close out halves by holding visiting Madonna University scoreless in the final three minutes and twenty-seven seconds of the first half and maintaining a 16-point lead, which will be key in future games this season.

“It’s crucial. Especially going into halftime, we need that momentum,” junior Kat LaPrairie said. “We really felt good about ourselves going into the second half, which made us more confident with our shot selection.”

GVSU eventually won the game 79-52.

Taking steps to becoming a floor general this season, LaPrairie was highly active on both ends of the floor as she led the Lakers with eight points at the break.

“Last year I started more on the bench and focused on being vocal from the bench. This year, being a starter, it’s really important for me to continue to be vocal on the court, because I know my teammates feed off of that,” LaPrairie said.

Fueled by the Lakers’ poor shooting from the three-point line and their inability to take care of the ball, Madonna was able to keep the game within ten points in the early part of the second half.

“You can tell we are very selfless, and sometimes that selflessness can create turnovers,” head coach Janel Burgess said. “They threw a match-up zone at us, which we struggled a little bit with. We just have to calm down and feel the game out, and things will work themselves out.”

Junior guard Meryl Cripe took control of the game, finding her teammates on consecutive possessions to push the Laker lead out to 15 points. Cripe finished with five points and four assists.

“There is a lot of emphasis on my position, being the leader and coach on the floor,” Cripe said. “Getting everyone organized is a key part of my game and is important to the success of our team.”

Poised to have a breakout season, senior Dani Crandall led all Lakers with 17 points, shooting eight of 11 from the field. Crandall also led the Lakers with nine rebounds, just one board short of a double-double.

“I thought I passed up quite a bit of shots, caused a few turnovers,” Crandall said. “Once we got the jitters out and were looking at the basket and looking to score, we really focused in and were able to knock down shots.”

The Lakers will look to transition into a more guard-orientated team with the additions of transfers Janelle McQueen (Texas Southern) and Bailey Cairnduff (Bowling Green).

“We are looking to play extremely fast in almost every aspect of the game,” Crandall said. “For the most part, we are all the same size, which works to our advantage. Being able to run the floor and switch pretty much between anyone on defense is going to make us that much better of a team.”

The Lakers will officially start the 2013-2014 season when they travel to Nashville for the Pops Duncan classic to face Truman State and Missouri-St. Louis in a two-day event.