The #3 ranked Grand Valley State women's basketball team will hit the road for a pair of GLIAC matchups at Purdue Northwest (Jan. 30) and Parkside (Feb. 1) this weekend. The Lakers are currently riding a five-game winning streak and sit at 18-1 overall and 10-1 in GLIAC play entering this weekend's action.
 
GVSU protected the number three ranking last week, earning a pair of wins over Michigan Tech and Northern Michigan on their home floor. In Thursday's 70-44 win over the Huskies, senior center Cassidy Boensch moved into fifth all-time in program history for points scored in a career, surpassing Crystal Zick (1,570 points). The Au. Gres, Mich. native finished the evening with 20 points, while senior guard Jenn DeBoer chipped in with 12 points. On Saturday, the Lakers became the Sawyers and continued its winning ways, defeating Northern Michigan 58-41 behind a double-double from Boensch with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Senior guard Victoria Hedemark and Deboer also scored in double-figures with 14 points and 10 points respectively.
 
Following the pair of strong performances, Boensch earned her fourth GLIAC South Division Player of the Week honor of the season (Jan. 27) and 12th of her career. The four GLIAC Player of the Week awards this season is tied with Ferris State's Riley Blair for the most across the league. After moving into fifth all-time in program history for points scored in a career last Thursday, Boensch (1,593 points) is just 18 points shy of overtaking Marie Thomas (1,610 points) for fourth all-time in Laker history.
 
As a team, the Lakers rank in the top-five nationally in multiple statistical categories. GVSU leads the nation in block shots per game (6.8), while ranking third in scoring defense (49.7) and scoring margin (26.2), and fifth in field goal percentage (48.3%).
 
Purdue Northwest, losers of five out of their last six, sits at 5-14 overall and 4-7 in conference play. The Pride own wins in the league over Lake Superior State, Northwood, Saginaw Valley State, and Davenport which is the team's highest win total since joining the GLIAC and DII back in 2017-18. Savaya Brockington leads the team in scoring with 13.3 points per game with Molly DeValkenaere also averaging in double-figures at 10.7 points per game.
 
After falling to GVSU, 109-70, back on Dec. 5 in Allendale, the Rangers rattled off an eight-game winning streak before the #2 ranked Ashland Eagles and Ferris State knocked them off in back-to-back contests. Parkside currently owns an 11-8 overall and 8-3 conference record and will host Davenport Thursday night (Jan. 30) before the Lakers come to town. The Rangers have a trio of players scoring in double-figures with Alyssa Nelson leading the team with 14.5 points per game, 5.1 rebounds per game and 2.6 assists per game. Taylor Stephen (12.9 points per game) and Carolina Rahkonen (12.4 points per game) each average in double-figures and shoot 80% or better from the charity stripe.