ALLENDALE, MICH. – The GVSU women's basketball team is back home to begin a four-game homestand that will close out the regular season next Saturday. This week, the Lakers will take on Wayne State on Thursday, then play host to SVSU on Saturday.
 
Wayne State: Live Stats | Video | Tickets | Radio | 6:00 PM
SVSU: Live Stats | Video | Tickets | Radio | 1:00 PM
 
The Lakers are coming off just their second loss of the season, falling on the road Saturday to Parkside. The Rangers used a big second half to overtake GVSU and finish off a 79-77 victory. The loss dropped the Lakers to the third-ranked team in the country according to the WBCA, their first time not ranked number one since November. To begin last weekend, GVSU dismantled Purdue Northwest 126-48, hitting a program-record 18 threes in the win. Ellie Droste, Abrie Cabana, Avery Zeinstra, and Hadley Miller all hit three or more triples.
 
This will be the second time GVSU has matched up with Wayne State, with the two meeting back in December. The Lakers only led by eight at the break, but they outscored the Warriors by 13 in the second half to win 80-59. Rylie Bisballe recorded 15 points to lead the offense. MacKenzie Bisballe had 12 points and nine rebounds, with Nicole Kamin having 10 points and five boards. The Lakers have won 21 straight games over Wayne State, dating back to the 2014-15 season, including nine straight at home.
 
Wayne State is fighting to have a chance to host a first round GLIAC Tournament game, as they are fifth in the league now, but just one game back of third. They are 15-9 overall and 10-6 in the league, but they have dropped two of three after going on a six-game winning streak. Three Warriors score in double-figures for the league's fourth-ranked offense. Shea Tripp is scoring 13.4 a game, with McKenna Ferguson averaging 12.3 and Taylor Thompson adding 12, for a Wayne State team that scores 69.3 points a contest.
 
The Lakers and Cardinals first met in the opening game of the GLIAC schedule in early December, with GVSU destroying SVSU 93-36 for the victory. The Lakers led 22-4 after the first quarter, and just kept increasing their lead from there, closing out a 57-point win. Rylie Bisballe led the way with 16 points, while MacKenzie Bisballe added 11, and Ellie Droste scored 10 points. The Lakers forced 38 turnovers and held the Cardinals to just 28% shooting for the game. The win was the seventh straight victory against SVSU, with the Cardinals last win coming in 2021-22.
 
The Cardinals are .500 this season, entering the weekend at 12-12, ranked eighth in the league with a 6-10 GLIAC record. They are trying to hold onto the last spot for the conference, up two games with four to play. SVSU has lost two straight and three of four and are just 5-7 on the road this season. Averaging 62 points a game, the Cardinals are the league's third worst offense, but their defense is the league's third best, giving up 62.2 points a contest. They do feature the GLIAC's first and fourth leading scorers, with Megan McCalla averaging 16.6 points and Aleshia Jones adding 14.5. Jones leads the league in free throw percentage, shooting 87% from the charity stripe, with McCalla ranking fifth in field goal percentage at 45.4%.
 
How to Follow
Both games will be available to follow via live stats and live stream. Saturday's game will also be available to watch on WXSP. 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.