ST. JOSEPH, MO. – Playing for the second straight day, the Grand Valley State women's basketball team battled a West Texas A&M team that was receiving votes in the first poll of the season. The Buffs gave the top-ranked Lakers a battle for all 40 minutes, but GVSU was able to pull away with a 73-59 victory. The Lakers begin the season 2-0 for the ninth straight year.
 
Grand Valley State got out to a 5-0 lead, getting a layup from MacKenzie Bisballe and a three-pointer from Molly Anderson. The Buffaloes made it 7-6 shortly after, but GVSU responded with a 10-0 run, getting triples from Bisballe and Ava Scanlon. After WTAM got back within five points late in the quarter, Avery Zeinstra connected from deep to put the Lakers up 22-14 after one.
 
After the lead grew up to 12 points early in the second period, the Buffs cut their deficit to six points, making it 31-25. It didn't last long, as the Lakers scored six straight points, getting their lead back into double-digits. WTAM once again cut into the lead, getting within eight, but GVSU would answer with the final four points of the half, leading 43-31 after 20 minutes.
 
West Texas began the second half on a 13-5 run, making it a 48-44 ballgame with 4:04 to go in the third quarter. Lexi Plitzuweit ended the run with a layup, then Bisballe hit an and-1 layup and free throw to put the Lakers back up by nine. It would stay that way to end the period, with GVSU up 59-50.
 
Neither offense could get much going in the fourth quarter, with the Buffaloes scoring the only points over the first four and half minutes. They totaled five points, to once again make it a four-point game at 59-54. Scanlon answered with four consecutive points, giving GVSU some breathing room. With 3:36 to play in the game and the Lakers up by six, Grand Valley State went on a game-ending 8-0 run, with Plitzuweit sealing the game with an old-fashioned three-point play.
 
MacKenzie Bisballe led the way with 18 points, hitting 7-11 shots, adding six rebounds and two steals. Ava Scanlon had 15 points and four boards, with Nicole Kamin adding 10 points, five rebounds, and three assists. Lexi Plitzuweit totaled nine points, four rebounds, and four assists, while Paige VanStee notched eight points and eight rebounds.
 
Up Next
The Lakers are off for two weeks, before returning to action on November 15^th at Walsh.