Feb. 13, 2008

Complete Release in PDF Format

2007-08 RECORDS:
Wayne State 9-13, 3-11 GLIAC
California 16-4, 7-0 PSAC
Grand Valley 26-0, 14-0 GLIAC

RADIO: WDTK (1400)
Chad Bush and Kent Herriman

ONLINE AUDIO: wdtkam.com

ONLINE VIDEO: B2 Networks -- Saturday's home game only

LIVE STATS: Gametracker -- Saturday's home game only

SERIES:
WSU leads CUP 1-0
Grand Valley leads WSU 40-24

LAST MEETINGS:
WSU won 85-80 at home vs. CUP in overtime on 11-24-07
GVSU won 54-44 at home on 1-25-07

GAMES 23-24 STORYLINES

The Wayne State University men's basketball team will try to end its longest losing streak in 27 years (1980-81 season) this week with a non-conference game at California (Pa.) on Wednesday evening before hosting second-ranked Grand Valley on Saturday afternoon.

The contest at CUP will be WSU's third consecutive game in Pennsylvania after the Warriors were swept by GLIAC rivals Mercyhurst (57-50) and Gannon (73-47) last weekend.

Wayne State has lost eight straight games, the most since the 1980-81 squad lost eight consecutive after starting the year 2-0.

WSU's longest streak prior to 1980-81 was 11 straight setbacks by the 1975-76 team.

In the November triumph over the Vulcans in Detroit, Wynn Sarden made 10-of-11 from the floor and scored a game-high 23 points. He also had a game-best 11 rebounds while dishing out four assists.

A triple by Lendyn Davis with 19 seconds left in regulation knotted the game at 72. WSU scored the first three points in overtime and never trailed in the extra session.

In last Thursday's loss at Mercyhurst, both Sarden and Lorenzo McClelland scored 11 points for the Warriors while Jason Saddler grabbed a game-high 15 rebounds.

WSU had a six-point lead with 8:43 to go before intermission, but the Lakers went on a 16-8 run to close out the first half as the Warriors were scoreless for the final 4:30.

In Saturday's setback at Gannon, the Golden Knights scored the first nine points of the game and led by 17 at halftime.

Sarden scored a team-high 13 points with Davis contributing 10 points. Sarden also had a team-best six rebounds. WSU had 14 turnovers to 20 for Gannon.

IN THE POLLS

Wayne State was selected second in the GLIAC South Division of the 2007-08 pre-season media poll, while Grand Valley was ranked first in the GLIAC North Division.

ALL-TIME SERIES

WSU won the only previous meeting with California (Pa.), 85-80 in overtime in Detroit on Nov. 24.

Grand Valley leads the all-time series 40-24 including wins the last two years.

David Greer has a 3-4 all-time mark against Grand Valley including a 2-1 record at home.

CENTURY MARK

Wayne State head coach David Greer recorded his 100th win at WSU with the Warriors 82-67 victory over Lake Superior on Jan. 12. WSU has had nine head coaches in 90 years of men's basketball.

ON THE BENCH

David Greer is in his seventh season at WSU and eighth season overall with records of 100-90 and 117-102, respectively.

California's Bill Brown has compiled a 246-95 record in his 12th year with the Vulcans.

Ric Wesley has a 100-19 mark in his fourth season at Grand Valley.

THIS AND THAT

All Wayne State men's basketball games can be heard on WDTK Radio (1400 AM).

Fans can also listen to all WSU men's basketball games online at wdtkam.com.

All home and selected away games will be available online as video webcasts through an agreement with B2 Networks.

All WSU home game statistics can be followed using Gametracker at wsuathletics.com.

SCOUTING CALIFORNIA

The Vulcans have won seven in a row since an overtime loss to Kutztown on Jan. 13.

Two of CUP's four losses have been in overtime, the other coming at WSU. Ron Banks is averaging a team-best 14.6 points per game.

Alioune Mbaye is first in rebounding (8.4) and third in scoring (11.5). Jesse Brooks has a team-best 63 assists.

SCOUTING GRAND VALLEY

The Lakers are 26-0 heading into Thursday's home game vs. Lake Superior.

Callistus Eziukwu leads GVSU in scoring (14.5), rebounding (8.8) and blocked shots (65).

Jason Jamerson is second in both scoring (14.3) and rebounding (4.3), while leading the squad in three-pointers made (65).

L.J. Kilgore has a team-high 77 assists.

SERIES NOTES

• Wayne State won the only previous meeting against California (Pa.), 85-80 in overtime, on Nov. 24, 2007

• Grand Valley has a 40-24 lead in the all-time series

• The Lakers have won the last two meetings

• WSU is 6-5 in the last 11 meetings

• David Greer is 3-4 all-time vs. Grand Valley including a 2-1 mark at the Matthaei