at Hillsdale
Thursday, 6:00 p.m.
Radio: WTKG-AM 1230
Listen | Watch
Live Stats | Game Notes
 
at Walsh
Saturday, 1:00 p.m.
Radio: WTKG-AM 1230
Listen | Watch
Live Stats | Game Notes

ALLENDALE, Mich.—Fresh off a pair of GLIAC wins and riding a five-game winning streak, the 16^th ranked Grand Valley State women's basketball team will depart the friendly confines of GVSU Fieldhouse Arena for the second time this season when it faces Hillsdale College (5-3) on Thursday and Walsh University (5-3)  on Saturday. Sitting atop the GLIAC North Division at 6-1, the Lakers will look to keep their hot start going against the GLIAC South Division opponents after having mixed success against them last season.
 
The Lakers played well in last weekend's home contests to win both games of the opening weekend GLIAC slate against the University of Findlay and Ohio Dominican. In Thrusday's 64-43 win against Findlay, GVSU won despite shooting just 39.7 percent from the field, relying on an oppressive defense that forced the Oilers into 28 turnovers and allowed them to connect on just 42 percent of their shots. In addition, the Lakers held the Oilers to just 23 percent (3-13) from beyond the arc, well below the 41 percent from deep they came into the game shooting for the season.
 
Saturday's game was a different game of sorts, as the two teams combined for 158 points on 57 field goals and 25 made free throws. The Lakers led for most of the game, and withstood a late 17-7 rally by the Panthers to come within two points with a minute left in the game. Despite converting on just 58.6 percent (17-29) from the free-throw line in the game, the Lakers were able to ice the game with a pair of late free throws to improve to 2-0 in conference play.
 
One week after being named the GLIAC North Division Player of the Week, senior Bailey Cairnduff had a strong effort against the Panthers,  racking up 19 points in the game (5-11 3-Pt.) and now leads the Lakers with 12.7 points per game. She has also hit a team-high 16 three-pointers this season, connecting on 41 percent of her attempts from there this season. Classmate and Lakers leading scorer from a year ago Kayla Dawson has picked up her play after a slow start to the season, and netted a team high 21 points in the win over Findlay on Thursday. As a result, she is second on the team in scoring at 10.7 points per game and gives the Lakers a solid scoring threat on offense, having joined the GVSU career 1,000 point club last season.
 
Through seven games of the 2016-17 campaign, the Lakers have been stellar on the defensive end, surrendering an average of just 57.4 points per game to opponents, and holding them to 38 percent shooting from the field and 30 percent from beyond the arc. Of their first seven opponents, the Lakers have held five of them below 50 points, and have yet to surrender 80 points to any opponent. After seeing three of their five starts named to the All-GLIAC Defensive Team last season, the Lakers have improved on the defensive end and are holding opponents to four points less per game than last season.
 
Thursday's opponent, the Hillsdale Chargers, have compiled a 5-3 record while ending up in the middle of the pack in terms of scoring (8^th, 68.6 points) and scoring defense (7^th, 63.9). Contrary to the Lakers, the Chargers have already been involved in several close games, including a narrow one-point loss to Wayne State last Saturday. The Chargers are 2-1 in games decided by five points or less this season. The Chargers are led by the power of Allie, as their top two scorers, Allie Dittmer and Allie Dewire, score 12.3 and 10.9 points per contest. Two others, forward Makenna Ott and Maddy Reed, are just outside of double figures with 9.8 and 8.8. points, respectively.
 
Shooting has not been the Charger's strong suit this season, as the team sports a  40.1/29.7/67.9 slash line (FG/3-Pt/Ft) this season, ranking 11^th, 13^th and 14^th in the GLIAC in those categories, respectively. With most of the same personnel as this season, the Chargers were soundly beaten by the Lakers at GVSU Fieldhouse Arena on January 30^th, 63-42, and dropped a 71-65 decision to GVSU at home on February 20^th.
 
After facing the Chargers in Hillsdale on Thursday, the Lakers will hop back onto the buss that will take them to Canton, Ohio to face the Cavaliers of Walsh University. Currently sitting at 5-3, the Cavaliers have been involved in several close games of their own this season, owning a 3-2 record in games decided by five points or less, and coming off a hard fought 68-65 win at Michigan Tech last weekend. Leading Walsh is senior guard Brooklyn Wooten, with 16.2 points per game, and forwards Alex Hochestedler and Brittni Clopton with 13.3 and 12.4 points, respectively.
 
Despite having three players averaging double-digits points and sporting a winning record, the Cavaliers have been the worst shooting team in the GLIAC this season, sporting a .378/.275/.721 slash line, ranking dead last in field goal and three-point percentage among GLIAC schools. In the team's most recent meeting last season, the Cavaliers held serve against the Lakers, defeating them at the Alumni Arena in Canton by a 79-66 score on January 7th. 
 
Thursday and Saturday are the first of five games the Lakers will play to close out 2016, including a two-game home stand next Saturday and Monday, and a road game at Wisconsin-Parkside on New Years Eve at 1 p.m.