ALLENDALE, MICH. – For the third time in three weeks, and the fourth time this season, the GVSU women's basketball team took on Northern Michigan, this time in the Midwest Regional semifinals. After already beating them twice in the regular season, then once more in the GLIAC Championship, the Lakers made it four in a row, taking down NMU 72-44.
Neither team could go on much of a run to begin the game, as they were trading baskets for the first seven minutes. The Lakers were finally able to string a couple of buckets together to hold a 14-9 lead after 10 minutes.
Paige Vanstee hit a three, then
Nicole Kamin buried a jumper to bring the Laker lead to double-digits at 19-9. They got their advantage up to as many as 17 points, but NMU battled back to make it a nine-point game just before the half. However, for the second straight game,
Avery Zeinstra beat the halftime buzzer, this time with a floater in the paint, to put the Lakers up 33-22.
The Wildcats hit two free throws to bring their deficit below 10 points, but Kamin responded with another bucket to bring the lead back to double figures, where it would stay for the rest of the game. Once again, both teams traded blows, as GVSU only outscored the Wildcats by two points in the period, leading 52-39 after three quarters.
It was all GVSU in the fourth quarter, outscoring Northern Michigan 20-5 over the final 10 minutes to put the game away. It started with a 12-0 run to open the quarter, with
Rylie Bisballe scoring half of the those points. They would hit five free throws in the final quarter to complete the season-long four game sweep over the Wildcats.
Nicole Kamin tied a career-high with 20 points, shooting 8-12 from the field, grabbing four boards and blocking three shots.
Rylie Bisballe scored 19 points and pulled down seven boards.
Paige Vanstee had 11 points and four rebounds.
Abrie Cabana and
Lexi Plitzuweit both had five rebounds.
Up Next
The Lakers take on Ferris State in the Midwest Regional Championshp game. The game will be held Monday evening at 7:00 in the Fieldhouse.
