ASHLAND, OHIO – The NCAA Tournament has arrived and the GVSU women's basketball team prepares for their first-round matchup with Kentucky Wesleyan. The game will tip-off tomorrow at 12:00 on the campus of Ashland University.

Midwest Regional Home Page
 
The Lakers are the three seed in the region, after going 29-2 this season and sweeping the GLIAC regular season and tournament titles. GVSU got the automatic bid to the tournament following their 62-54 win over Michigan Tech in the tournament championship game. This marked the eighth consecutive season that the Lakers have made the NCAA Tournament, and they look to advance beyond the first round for the sixth time under Mike Williams.
 
Emily Spitzley has been on a hot streak offensively since the GLIAC Tournament started, as she averaged 20.7 points on 53% shooting from the floor and 59% from deep, while also knocking down 16-18 from the line. That performance earned her GLIAC Tournament MVP. Throughout the tournament, GVSU got contributions up and down the roster, as Paige Vanstee, Ellie Droste, Rylie Bisballe, and Nicole Kamin all scored in double-figures at least once in the three games. The defense also shone in the tournament, with all three opponents being held under 55 points as the Lakers improved upon their nation's best scoring defense, only allowing 50.6 points a game.
 
The Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers are the six seed in the Midwest Region after going 23-6 and went 18-2 in the GMAC. The Panthers fell in the conference tournament semifinals to Trevecca Nazarene. This is the fifth time KWC has made the NCAA Tournament during the tenure of co-head coaches Caleb and Nicole Nieman. The Panthers are led by Tahlia Walton's 12.1 points and Cali Nolot, who scored 10.1 a game. KWC is also a good defensive team, holding opponents to just 59.5 points a game, which ranked second in the GMAC this season. This will be only the fourth time these two schools have met up, and the first time since 2009. GVSU leads the series 2-1, but this will be the first time they have met in the postseason.
 
UP NEXT
The game will be available to follow via livestream and live stats. You can also listen along on 105.1 theticket with Bryan Fongers on the call. For all updates, follow along on social media @gvsuwbb or check gvsulakers.com.