DETROIT -- The Wayne State University men's basketball squad (16-8 overall, 13-5 GLIAC) moved into a second-place tie in the overall conference standings with an 80-67 triumph over visiting Grand Valley State University (14-11 overall, 10-8 GLIAC) on Senior Day at the Matthaei.

The contest was tied five times in the first eight-plus minutes with WSU holding the largest lead of four points (4-0).

Three lead changes in just over 90 seconds concluded with a Bryan Coleman (Southfield, Mich. / Lathrup) triple from the left wing giving the Warriors a 17-15 lead at the 10:03 mark.

Coleman's three-pointer ignited an 18-7 WSU run which concluded with a triple by senior guard Stacey Waters (Detroit, Mich. / Renaissance) with just over four minutes left before intermission.

The team combined for three three-pointers in the final minute of the first half with Waters and junior guard Cole Prophet (Sandusky, Ohio) sandwiching their triples around a Rob Woodson three-pointer for the Lakers.  Wayne State led 41-32.

Both teams made 13 field goals in the first half, with WSU holding a 6-3 advantage in made three-pointers.  GVSU's James Thomas led all players with 15 points at the break.

Thomas scored the first five points of the second half before a triple by junior forward Ian Larkin (Detroit, Mich. / Renaissance) started a 9-0 Warrior run pushing the lead to 13 (50-37) with just over 16 minutes left.

A 10-2 Grand Valley spurt cut the WSU lead to five (52-47), but five straight Wayne State points regained a double-digit advantage (57-47) with 10:50 remaining.

GVSU would get within six (57-51) with just 8:30 left, but four consecutive made free throws by WSU increased the lead to 10 (61-51).

The Lakers would only get as close as seven points (61-54) the rest of the game as WSU answered with a 13-3 run to seal the win on Senior Day.

Both teams shot well for the game with GVSU connecting on 59 percent (24-of-41) from the floor compared to 50 percent (22-of-44) for WSU.

The Warriors made 10 triples and made 26-of-29 free throws (89.7 percent) for the game, and had four less turnovers (nine to 13) than the Lakers.

Thomas led all scorers with 28 points.  WSU senior center Ike Udanoh (Detroit, Mich. / Warren Woods Tower) led the hosts with 20 points and seven rebounds.  Waters (14 points), Gerald Williams-Taylor (12 points), Prophet (11 points) and Coleman (10 points) all scored in double figures for Wayne State.

The Warriors conclude the regular-season at Lake Superior on Thursday, Feb. 23 with a 7:30 p.m. tip.

WSU has clinched a spot in the GLIAC post-season tournament with the quarterfinals being held on Feb. 29.  Opponent and location are still to be determined.