Lake Superior State: Video | Audio | Live Stats | Game Notes

Northwood: Audio | Video | Live Stats | Game Notes

Allendale, Mich. -- Striking a happy balance at both ends of the floor—up-tempo offense paired with a relentless defense—is something the Grand Valley State women's basketball team has been working toward the last couple of weeks. In its 68-61 victory at Northern Michigan last Thursday (Jan. 15), head coach Janel Burgess believed the Lakers found it.
 
Although GVSU dropped a 61-52 decision at No. 23 Michigan Tech less than 48 hours later, Burgess walked away impressed with her team's effort, particularly at the defensive end. After all, nearly three weeks ago, the Lakers gave up a combined 168 points in losses at Findlay (Jan. 4) and No. 11 Wayne State (Jan. 2).
 
"We definitely played well in both games. We had an opportunity to come out of there 2-0, and didn't make some clutch plays down the stretch, defensively and offensively," says Burgess. "What I'm most excited about was our drive on defense. We gave up 61 points both games; that's pretty doggone good. Those are things that will continue to help us be successful."
 
As for that happy medium—shooting 44.4 percent and holding Northern Michigan to 36.2 percent from the field—Burgess shed some light on that as well.
 
"Our defense runs our offense. For about three games, (we got into) a track meet; we weren't getting stops. We wanted to push it on offense, but you can't really do that when a defense is able to get back and set," says Burgess. "Our defense is just creating more offense in the sense of tempo and getting the ball moving more freely, as opposed to being set or going against a quarter-court set defense."
 
"I thought we found (a balance) at Northern Michigan. We found a way to put both great things together, especially in the first half."
 
The Upper Peninsula split left the Lakers tied with Northwood for second place in the GLIAC North Division, two games behind Michigan Tech. This week, they have a chance to take sole possession of that spot.
 
Before its head-to-head matchup with Northwood, though, GVSU will get a visit from Lake Superior State. The Lakers have hit a bit of a rough patch, dropping seven of their last 11 games. But Stephanie Fisher averages 13.0 points per game and has scored 20-plus points three times this season. In short, LSSU is not just going to roll over, even if the Lakers are 7-0 at home.
 
Then comes the marquee showdown of the week: a trip to Northwood. The Timberwolves have won four of their last five, with its only loss during that span coming against Hillsdale. Lauren Robak, who ranks sixth among all GLIAC players in points per game (16.6), leads the way for Northwood.
 
"Northwood will be a good measuring stick of trying to get that quality road win we need," says Burgess.
 
Tip off for Thursday (Jan. 22) night's game is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET, while Saturday's clash is set for 4 p.m. ET.