vs. Lake Superior State (Friday, Jan. 18 - 6:00PM - DeltaPlex Arena)
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The Grand Valley State women's basketball team is set to host the Lake Superior State Lakers in the teams' second Downtown Thursday Series at the DeltaPlex Arena tomorrow (Jan. 18). GVSU enters the contest as winners of seven of their last eight contests and boast an impressive 14-3 mark overall and a 7-2 mark in conference play. The Lakers most recently fell to #1 Ashland last Thursday (Jan. 11), 83-67, in a game that was within reach before a late run by the Eagles. The Lakers rebounded with a big 73-40 victory over Tiffin the following Saturday (Jan. 13) to get back in the win column. Lake Superior State will enter the contest 0-13 overall and 0-9 in conference play.
The Lakers are currently sitting in second place in the GLIAC North Division and are right behind Ashland (9-0) and Michigan Tech (8-1) in the overall standings. Wayne State (6-3) and Northwood (5-4) round out the top-five. In the most recent WBCA Coaches Poll, released on Jan. 16, the Lakers are once again just outside the top-25 as one of just a few teams receiving votes.
Despite being the top team in the GLIAC in terms of opponent's points per game –allowing just 57.8 ppg this season – GVSU outdid itself after holding Tiffin to just 40 total points and 19 points in the second half, which are both season-bests. The Lakers held Tiffin to just 16-52 shooting (30.8%), including 3-19 from 3-point range, while the Dragons only took eight free throws in the contest, five of which were makes. The GVSU defense is set to shine again, as the LSSU Lakers rank 11th in the GLIAC in points per game after averaging 58.2 points in their first 13 contests.
The Laker offense has been solid as of late, as they have scored 70+ points in four of their last five games and are averaging 71.4 ppg, which ranks fifth in the GLIAC. The Lakers once again hold the edge over their rival Lakers, as LSSU currently ranks last in the GLIAC in scoring defense at 80.6 points allowed per contest.
Much of the Lakers success this season has come from their five starters in
Jenn DeBoer,
Natalie Koenig,
Maddie Dailey,
Taylor Parmley, and
Korynn Hincka. That group has started all 17 contests this year and are all averaging at least 25 minutes per game while DeBoer, Parmley, and Hincka are all averaging double figures offensively. DeBoer leads the way with 13.2 ppg, while Parmley and Hincka are pouring in 12.7 and 10.9 points a game. Despite the prevalence of the Laker starters, they have also gotten some great play out of their bench. Sophomore center
Cassidy Boensch has hit a hot streak as of late, scoring in double figures in six of her last seven games (13.0 ppg) and is averaging 9.2 points in just over 16 minutes per game. Fellow sophomore
Victoria Hedemark has also been solid off of the bench for the Lakers and is currently second on the team with 21 steals and fifth in assists with 20 dishes. Freshman guard
Emma Wright has also seen a bump in minutes after a six point, five assist, and four steal performance against Cornerstone back on Dec. 30.
Lake Superior State's Tamara Novic has been their "do it all" player this season as she leads her squad in points per game (12.2) rebounds per game (6.5) and field goal percentage (59.8%). A lot of Novics' scoring chances have come thanks to Jenna Gregory, who leads the Lakers with 36 assists, while Abigail Ostman and Courtney Jacobsen are the teams deep threats as both have with 20 3-pointers this season.
Following Thursday's contest, the Lakers will have a day to rest up before they host GLIAC rival Ferris State in a 6:00 PM matchup on Friday, Jan. 20.
