The #6 ranked Grand Valley State women's basketball team will travel to the U.P for a pair of matchups against the northern GLIAC schools this week. On Thursday (Feb. 20), the Lakers will play in Marquette, Mich. against Northern Michigan at 7:30 PM before heading farther north to Houghton, Mich. to play Michigan Tech on Saturday with the tip set for 1:00 PM. GVSU will enter the week with a 23-2 overall and 15-2 conference record.
 
The initial NCAA Midwest Regional rankings were released on Wednesday (Feb. 19) and the Lakers were ranked third behind the top-two teams in the country, #1 Drury and #2 Ashland. Both of GVSU's losses came to the Eagles, while boasting two wins (Ferris State and Lewis) over teams ranked in the regional top-10.
 
NCAA Midwest Regional Rankings
 
The Lakers earned two wins last week, one coming at home over Saginaw Valley State 72-34, and another on the road at Northwood, 67-51, to complete the series sweep of both teams. Senior center Cassidy Boensch put up big numbers en route to her fifth GLIAC South Division Player of the Week honor of the season and 13th of her career. The Au. Gres, Mich. native averaged 22 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 4.5 blocks across the two games and moved into a tie with Julie Zeeff (274 blocks) for first all-time in program history for blocks in a career.
 
GVSU is currently in second place in the GLIAC standings and can clinch the two seed in the GLIAC Tournament with a win or a Ferris State loss. The Lakers would then host the seven seed in a quarterfinal matchup on Tuesday, March 3 at the GVSU Fieldhouse Arena. The highest remaining seed will host the semifinals and finals on March 7 and 8 before the NCAA Tournament Selection Show airs at 10:00 PM on March 8.
 
Northern Michigan, who is 12-13 overall and 9-8 in league play, owns the five seed in the GLIAC with the ability to clinch a GLIAC Tournament berth with a win or a Northwood loss. The Wildcats can move up as high as the four seed, which would grant them a home contest for the quarterfinals in the conference tournament. After winning close matchups with Parkside and Purdue Northwest two weeks ago, Northern Michigan dropped both games last weekend at Lake Superior State and Ferris State to fall below .500 for the season. Averaging just 52.6 points per game on offense, the Wildcats rely on their ability at the defensive end, where they give up just 57.1 points per game, to hold opponents under their average point total. Senior center Jessica Schultz leads Northern Michigan in scoring with 14.6 points per game, while grabbing a team-high 7.1 rebounds per game.
 
In the last meeting earlier this season, the Lakers defeated NMU 58-41 at the GVSU Fieldhouse Arena. The Wildcats gave the Lakers fits last season, beating them in Marquette and knocking them out of the GLIAC Tournament in Allendale.
 
Michigan Tech is holding on to the eighth and final spot for the GLIAC Tournament. The Huskies are just 9-15 overall and 7-10 in league play but hold a one-game lead on Northwood for a berth in the tournament. Coming off of a 75-61 win over Lake Superior State, Michigan Tech will host Davenport on Thursday (Feb. 20) before welcoming the Lakers to Houghton on Saturday (Feb. 22). The Huskies have a trio of players averaging in double-figures with Cassidy Trotter leading the charge with 12.7 points per game. As a team, Michigan Tech shoots 80% from the charity stripe which ranks fifth nationally, however GVSU leads the country in fewest fouls per game at 11.7.
 
GVSU defeated Michigan Tech, 70-44, back on Jan. 23 at the GVSU Fieldhouse Arena, moving the Lakers win streak in the series to four games.