vs. #6 Lewis (Friday, 2:30 p.m.): Watch | Listen | Live Stats | Game Notes
 
The Grand Valley State women's basketball team returns to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in five years on Friday afternoon (Mar. 11), as GVSU travels back to Ashland, Ohio to take on the #6 Lewis Flyers. Game time for Friday's (Mar. 11) quarterfinal game between Grand Valley State and Lewis is scheduled for a 2:30 p.m. start.
 
There are links above to watch the free online webcast (provided by Ashland) or listen to the radio broadcast of the game, as well as a link to follow the live stats. The game will be aired on WTKG-AM 1230, with fifth year GVSU play-by-play announcer DJ Foster calling the action.
 
After a terrific run to the GLIAC Tournament championship game on Sunday (Mar. 6), the Lakers earned their 11th NCAA Tournament appearance and first since 2010-11. Grand Valley State, the sixth seed in the league tournament, defeated third-seeded Michigan Tech 65-63 in overtime in Houghton before bouncing second seed Saginaw Valley State 76-51 in last Saturday's semifinal in Ashland.
 
The Lakers' magical run was cut short on Sunday, as GVSU fell to top seed and #5-nationally ranked Ashland, 70-53, on the Eagles' home floor. It was Grand Valley State's first trip to the conference tournament championship since the 2005-06 season. Junior guard Janae Langs - who drained the game-winning three-pointer to knock off Michigan Tech in the quarterfinals - and Taylor Lutz were named to the GLIAC All-Tournament Team at the conclusion of the tournament.
 
GVSU returned from Ashland late Sunday night after finishing as the tournament runner-up and an hour later, the Lakers learned their two victories in the GLIAC Tournament helped clinch an NCAA Tournament at-large berth. Grand Valley State's last victory in the NCAA Tournament was on Mar. 25, 2006, when the Lakers topped American International 58-52 to win the Division II National Championship.
 
Since that championship victory, GVSU had made three appearances in the NCAA Tournament (2006-07, 2008-09, 2010-11). Overall, the Lakers are 11-9 in NCAA postseason play.
 
Grand Valley State earned the #7 seed in the Midwest Region Tournament and will bring a 22-9 overall record into Friday's quarterfinal. After notching a 20-8 record last season, the Lakers have won at least 20 games in consecutive seasons for the fifth time in school history.
 
The number two seed in the region and the number six team in all of Division II, Lewis owns a 28-2 record and went a perfect 18-0 against the rest of the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC). Lewis lost on Nov. 25, won 23 straight games, and lost in last weekend's semifinals to Quincy, 59-54.
 
Lewis' first loss of the season on Nov. 25 was delivered by Grand Valley State in a 71-63 Laker victory in Allendale. Despite being outscored in three of the four quarters, GVSU owned a 25-12 scoring margin in the second quarter to take a 39-28 halftime advantage, including the final nine points of the first half. The Flyers pulled within three points (55-52) early in the fourth quarter, but an 11-4 Laker run opened up a double-digit lead.
 
Even though Grand Valley State (40.7 percent) was outshot by Lewis (44.3) from the field, the Lakers drained 10 three-pointers and owned a 13-4 edge in made free throws. GVSU held a slim 38-36 advantage in rebounds and scored 15 points off of 13 Lewis turnovers.
 
Junior guard Bailey Cairnduff went 7-of-12 from the field, made all five free throws, and totaled a game-high 21 points, six rebounds, and three steals. Senior guard Brionna Barnett was 5-of-11 from three-point range and scored 19 points, while junior forward Kayla Dawson added 17 points, five rebounds, and three steals.
 
The Lakers enter the NCAA Tournament ranked first in the GLIAC in points allowed (56.7 ppg.) and second offensively (73.1 ppg.). GVSU is also first in the conference in three-pointers made (9.4) and attempted (24.7) per game, while shooting a GLIAC-best 38.2 from beyond the arc. The team's 12.2 turnovers per game are the fewest of any team in the league, while Grand Valley State is holding opponents to a 38.3 field goal percentage, second-best in the GLIAC.
 
Lewis led the Great Lakes Valley Conference in a number of categories, including: scoring defense (54.5 ppg.), field goal percentage (48.1), opponents field goal percentage (33.5), rebounds per game (38.6), opponents rebounding (31.3), rebounding margin (+7.3), and blocked shots (4.7).
 
The Flyers have the two-time GLVC Player of the Year in senior forward Mariyah Brawner-Henley, who won the award this season and in 2013-14. She is a three-time All-GLVC First Team selection and is the all-time conference leader with over 1,200 rebounds. Brawner-Henley is averaging 20.3 points and 11.5 rebounds per game, ranking second and first, respectively in the conference. Her 55.4 field goal percentage is fourth-highest in the GLVC.
 
Forward Jessica Kelliher earned GLVC Freshman of the Year honors and was named to the All-GLVC First Team. Starting in 29 of 30 games for the Flyers, Kelliher is posting 18.2 points (fourth in the league) and 6.2 rebounds per game. Her 60.4 field goal percentage led all conference players. First-year head coach Kristen Gillespie was tabbed the GLVC Coach of the Year.
 
The winner of the GVSU-Lewis battle will play in Saturday's (Mar. 12) first semifinal at 5:00 p.m., with Monday's championship (Mar. 14) game set for a 7:00 p.m. tipoff.