ALLENDALE, MICH. – The top-ranked Grand Valley State women's basketball team hosted #12 Northern Michigan in a top-15 showdown. The Lakers took control early and let their defense hold off the Wildcats in a 70-47 victory. The win moves them to 19-0 overall and 11-0 in GLIAC play.
With the game tied at 10 through the first five minutes,
Avery Zeinstra buried a triple to ignite an 11-4 run to end the quarter.
Lexi Plitzuweit capped off the run with a three-pointer of her own, ending the period up 21-14.
The lead grew to double-digits early in the second quarter, up 24-14. After Northern got back within 10, GVSU got an
Ava Scanlon layup to go back up by 10, this time never letting their lead dip back below that mark. That layup started an 8-0 Laker run, ended by
Nicole Kamin drilling a triple, making it 36-20. The Wildcats chipped away at the lead before the end of the half but still trailed 42-29 after 20 minutes of action.
Both defenses buckled down in the second half, with neither team able to go on a run, trading baskets until it was 52-39. The Lakers had the ball on the final possession, getting the ball in the hands of
Molly Anderson, who beat the buzzer with a deep three-pointer, extending the lead to 16 heading into the fourth.
Northern Michigan began the fourth quarter on an 8-4 run to bring themselves with 12 points. GVSU responded with an 11-0 run to finish off the game, scoring eight points in the paint and getting another three from Plitzuweit to close out another double-digit victory.
MacKenzie Bisballe had a big game, finishing with 19 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks.
Nicole Kamin stuffed the stat sheet with 11 points, six boards, six assists, and a steal.
Ava Scanlon recorded 11 points and seven rebounds, while both
Paige VanStee and
Lexi Plitzuweit each had eight points and five rebounds.
The Laker defense shut down Northern Michigan, holding them to 23.7% shooting from the field and 13% from deep. GVSU won the battle on the boards 48-36, including 15 offensive rebounds.
Up Next
The Lakers close out the home weekend, hosting Michigan Tech on Saturday. Tip-off is set for 1:00.
