ALLENDALE, MICH. – The top-ranked GVSU women's basketball team began their weekend trip to Ohio with a Saturday night victory over Walsh. The Lakers beat the Cavaliers 69-44, moving to 3-0 to begin the 2025-26 season.
 
With the Cavs up 5-2, Sydney Cherney and Tayla Dillard connected on consecutive triples, to begin an 11-2 Laker run, capped off by an Avery Zeinstra three to put GVSU up 13-7. After Walsh got within four points, the Lakers finished the quarter with five straight points, up 20-11.
 
Paige VanStee knocked down a three-pointer on the Lakers' opening possession of the second quarter, then MacKenzie Bisballe followed with a layup, increasing their lead to 14. The Cavaliers cut their deficit in half at 26-19, but GVSU responded with an 11-2 scoring run to end the half. After 20 minutes, it was 37-21, Lakers on top.
 
Walsh started the second half with a 6-2 run, getting within 12 just over a minute into the third quarter. Once again, Grand Valley State went on a scoring run to answer the Cavs, getting seven straight points from Bisballe to begin a 13-2 scoring outburst to make it 52-29. Walsh ended the quarter on a 6-2 run, down 54-35 after three quarters.
 
The Laker lead never dropped below 20 points the entirety of the fourth quarter, topping off at the final 25-point advantage. Kelly Kray and Madi Uyl each scored their first collegiate points, with Kray hitting a layup and Uyl knocking down two free throws. Jordyn Bonnema and Ava Mallar each appeared in their first college games during the final period.
 
MacKenzie Bisballe had a monster game, totaling a game-high 20 points, hitting nine of her 13 shots, adding five boards and two blocks. Ava Scanlon had nine points and six rebounds, with Lexi Plitzuweit also grabbing six rebounds. Nicole Kamin dished out seven assists and Molly Anderson had four steals. The Lakers forced 37 turnovers and won the rebounding battle by nine.
 
Up Next
GVSU concludes the road trip Sunday afternoon, playing Ohio Dominican at 3:00.