ST. JOSPEH, MO. – The top-ranked Grand Valley State women's basketball team got their season underway this afternoon at the D2CCA Tipoff Classic in Missouri, taking on Missouri Western State. After a slow start, the Lakers turned it on the second half and pulled away with an 83-61 victory.
 
The Griffons opened the game on a 6-0 run, forcing an early Laker timeout. GVSU got on the board with two MacKenzie Bisballe free throws, then eventually tied it at nine with a three from Bisballe. MWSU responded with a 9-0 run, going up 18-9, but GVSU answered back with a 9-0 run of their own to re-tie the game. Missouri Western State would score three of the final five points of the quarter, to lead 21-20 after one.
 
Their lead increased to 24-20 after a three on their opening possession of the second period, but from then on, it was all Lakers. GVSU went on an 18-0 run, started by four straight points from Paige VanStee, then Avery Zeinstra would connect on consecutive triples, before VanStee finished it off with a three of her own. The Griffons ended the run with a jumper, but another triple from VanStee made it 43-29 at the break.
 
Grand Valley State increased their lead up to 18 at 49-31, starting the second half on a 6-2 run. MWSU got it back within 13 midway through the quarter, however, GVSU went on a 16-5 run to end the period, leading 66-42.
 
In the fourth quarter, the Lakers pushed their lead up to as much as 27 points, at 73-46. They kept their advantage above 20 the rest of the way, closing out the season-opening victory.  
 
Paige VanStee led the way with a career-high 26 points, shooting 8-14 from the field, adding five rebounds, four steals, three assists, and two blocks. MacKenzie Bisballe tallied 13 points and eight boards, while Avery Zeinstra had 11 points, burying three three-pointers. Nicole Kamin totaled nine points, five rebounds, four assists, and three steals.
 
Anayya Davis, Avery Lay, Tayla Dillard, Kelly Kray, Emersen Berndt, and Reese Gaytan all saw their first collegiate action in the game. Davis, Lay, Dillard, and Berndt all scored their first collegiate points.
 
Up Next
The Lakers close out the weekend Saturday afternoon, taking on West Texas A&M. GVSU and the Buffs will tip-off at 2:00 eastern.