ALLENDALE, MICH. – The Grand Valley State women's basketball team began the NCAA Tournament tonight, hosting Maryville in the opening round of the Midwest Regional. Behind a dominant first quarter, the Lakers cruised to an 83-50 victory. The win moves GVSU to 31-1 this season and into a date with Wayne State in the semifinals.
 
The Lakers raced out to a 13-0 lead over the first three and a half minutes of action, getting six points from MacKenzie Bisballe to get them going. After the Saints got on the board, GVSU increased their lead up to 20-2, capped by a Lexi Plitzuweit triple. Maryville hit a three of their own to respond, before the Lakers scored the final eight points of the quarter, up 28-5 after one.
 
A 17-6 run to begin the second quarter increased the GVSU lead to 45-11. The Saints responded with a half-ending 10-0 scoring run to cut to 45-21 at the half.
 
After the two teams traded baskets for the first two minutes, Nicole Kamin buried one from deep to ignite a 10-0 lead, with Avery Zeinstra hitting another triple during the run, to push the Laker advantage up to 33 points. The Saints outscored GVSU 8-7 the rest of the period, making the score 72-40 with quarter to play. In the final quarter, GVSU outscored Maryville 11-10, with Sydney Cherney concluding the scoring, hitting a three.
 
MacKenzie Bisballe had a monster game, posting 21 points and 10 rebounds, for her fourth double-double of the season. Paige VanStee scored 14 points, with Nicole Kamin adding 11 points and four rebounds. Avery Lay pulled down eight boards and Molly Anderson had five assists.
 
Up Next
GVSU will play Wayne State in the regional semifinals on Saturday at 7:30.