ALLENDALE, MICH. – The Grand Valley State women's basketball team gets set to play their first home games of 2026 this week, hosting Wayne State on Thursday night, then Purdue Northwest Saturday afternoon.
 
Wayne State: Live Stats | Video | Radio | Tickets | Thursday | 5:30 PM
Purdue Northwest: Live Stats | Video | Radio | Tickets | Saturday | 1:00 PM
 
The 2026 year began in the Upper Peninsula, playing Michigan Tech and #12 Northern Michigan. The Lakers took care of business in both games, remaining unbeaten and ranked number one in the country at 12-0. MacKenzie Bisballe was named the GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week after averaging 21 points, 8.5 rebounds, hitting 51.4% from the floor. Nicole Kamin scored her 1,000^th career point in the win over Michigan Tech, becoming the 30^th player in program history to reach that mark.
 
Grand Valley State is third nationally in scoring defense, allowing 49.7 points per game, while ranking seventh in scoring offense, pouring in 81.8 points a contest. The Lakers are one of two teams to rank in the top 10 in both categories, along with Indiana (Pa.). A big part of their defensive success has been forcing turnovers, which they do at the ninth-highest rate in the country, over 26 a game. Paige VanStee, Kamin, and Molly Anderson are all averaging over two steals a game, while Avery Lay, MacKenzie Bisballe, Avery Zeinstra, and Anayya Davis average at least one per contest.
 
Thursday's matchup will feature the top two teams in the GLIAC, with both GVSU and Wayne State entering 4-0. Overall, the Warriors are 9-3, winners of six straight. Wayne State defeated Saginaw Valley State and Lake Superior State over the weekend to open the new year with consecutive wins. The Warriors are led by three players averaging double-figures, paced by McKenna Ferguson's 16.5 points a game. Reigning GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week, Taylor Thompson, is contributing 14.3 points and a team-high 7.8 rebounds.
 
To wrap up the weekend, 3-9 Purdue Northwest will visit Allendale. The Pride are 1-3 in league play, winning at Lake Superior State last Friday for their first league win. PNW is the worst defensive team in the GLIAC, allowing over 77 points a game, while only scoring 65 per game. Four players average double-figures for the Pride, with Alyssa Cole pacing them at 13.8. In their second year under head coach Jesse Ford, PNW is trying to get back to the postseason after missing it in 2024-25.
 
How to Follow
Both games this weekend will be available to follow along with via live stats or live stream through FloSports. You can also listen live on the radio on The Ticket, Thunder Country, and WLCS. For full coverage, follow along on social media @gvsuwbb and online at GVSUlakers.com.