The 2011 season begins!

Sault Ste. Mareie, MI:  The Tigers 17 game winning streak was snapped as they lost to the Lakers, 90-68.  Grace got down early and could never make a sustained run.  Being down as many as 17 in the first half the Tigers would get it back to 6 before the Lakers would close out the half up by 14.  The Tigers made an early run to start the second half and cut into the lead again.  Ryan Dame threw down a monster dunk and sprained his ankle and the momentum was stopped.  The Lakers took the lead up to 18-22 points and it stayed there the rest of the game.

“This is exactly why we schedule like we do,” said Head Coach Gary Bailey.  “I never want us to try to find out where we are.  I always want to find out where we need to be.  We have a lot of talent on this team but we are a different team than last year.  We need to find out how to play a little different style of ball with this group.”

Ryan Krombeen lead Grace with 17 points and 7 rebounds.  Newcomer Randy Jefferson scored 11 points, in 17 minutes, in his first game for the Tigers.  Cory Jamieson scored 8 and shared a team high in assists with John Oostema, each getting 4.

Grace shot 43% from the floor, 53% from the line and only 15% from the three.

The Tigers will stay in the NCAA II as they face Ferris State University in an exhibition game on Wednesday.  The FSU Bulldogs open their season with Michigan State, Grace, University of Michigan, and Central Michigan.