ASHLAND, OHIO – An amazing season for the Grand Valley women's basketball team came to a close in the Midwest Regional Championship game at the hands of Ashland, 61-58. The Lakers finished the season 31-3, winning 30+ games in consecutive seasons for the first time is program history and claimed the GLIAC regular season and conference tournament crowns.
 
It was a close back-and-forth first quarter, as the Lakers held a slim 6-5 lead midway through the quarter, but Ashland ended the quarter on a 7-2 to lead 12-8 after one quarter.
 
The Lakers got going in the second quarter outscoring the Eagles by 10 over the next ten minutes. Emily Spitzley and Ellie Droste each hit two threes in the Lakers early run to take the lead at 24-17, and after the Eagles battled back within three, Spitzley hit a three to end the half, and put GVSU up 29-23.
 
Ashland caught fire in the third quarter, hitting five three-pointers, as they retook the lead at 45-38 heading into the fourth.
 
The Lakers climbed back into the game, as Droste hit another three to cut their deficit to four at 51-47. The Lakers would get it down to one at 59-58 after a Droste jumper, but Ashland would hit two free throws to seal the game.
 
Ellie Droste was phenomenal once again, scoring 25 points on 9-16 shooting, while also dishing out three assists. Emily Spitzley scored 13 points and grabbed five rebounds, while Rylie Bisballe had 12 points and eight rebounds. The Lakers will graduate Emily Spitzley, Hannah Kulas, and Haley Swing, three players who have been major factors in the program's success.