ALLENDALE, MICH. – The GVSU women's basketball team embarks on their longest roadtrip of the GLIAC schedule, crossing the bridge, heading north to play Northern Michigan and Michigan Tech. The Lakers play NMU on Thursday, then travel to Houghton to take on Michigan Tech Saturday afternoon.
 
NMU: Live Stats | Video | Radio | 5:30 PM
MTU: Live Stats | Video | Radio | 12:00 PM
 
This trip starts the second half of the conference schedule, with GVSU atop the standings at 10-0, two games above everyone else. At 20-1 overall, the Lakers remain ranked first in the WBCA national poll, a spot they have held since late November. GVSU completed a home weekend sweep, defeating Parkside 72-43 on Thursday, then beat PNW 106-47 on Saturday. MacKenzie Bisballe was named GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week, as she scored 36 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, blocked nine shots, dished out six assists, and had three steals. She shot 14-19 from the floor and a perfect 6-6 from the free throw line. She was the fourth Laker to earn Player of the Week honors, joining her sister Rylie, Abrie Cabana, and Paige Vanstee.
 
In the first matchup of the year between the Lakers and the Wildcats, GVSU came away with an 81-71 victory. NMU led by one after the first quarter, but the Lakers outscored them 24-15 in the second to take an eight-point lead that they would never give up. Rylie Bisballe posted a 22-point, 11-rebound double-double, Nicole Kamin scored 14, and Lexi Plitzuweit added 10.
 
Since they visited Allendale, Northern Michigan is 4-2, falling to SVSU and Wayne State two weekends ago, before turning around and throttling Ferris State and LSSU last weekend. They are third in the GLIAC at 7-3 and are 13-5 overall. The Wildcats have the second-best defense in the league, allowing just 58.3 points per game, but GVSU is one of only two teams to eclipse 80 points on them. After missing the first matchup of the year, leading scorer Jacy Weisbrod has returned to the Wildcat lineup. Her 13.5 ppg ranks eighth in the league, and she is one of three Wildcats shooting over 35% from three this season.
 
The Lakers dominated Michigan Tech in early January, racing out to a 22-7 lead after the first quarter, ultimately cruising to a 93-52 win. Rylie Bisballe again led the way, scoring 15 points, with Abrie Cabana adding 12.
 
Michigan Tech enters the weekend at 8-10 overall and sixth in the league standings at 5-5. Following a three-game winning streak over SVSU, Wayne State, and LSSU, the Huskies dropped their most recent game, falling to Ferris State on Saturday. Three Huskies average double-figures, led by Isabella Lenz's 14.5, the third leading scorer in the conference. The Husky defense forces the fewest turnovers in the GLIAC, causing only 11.6 a game, with the Lakers only recording six in the first matchup.
 
How to Follow
Both games will be available to follow via live stats and live stream. You can also tune in on the radio on The Ticket (106.1 FM/1340 AM), Thunder Country (107.3 FM), or WLCS (98.3). For full coverage, follow along on social media @gvsuwbb and online at GVSUlakers.com.