PITTSBURGH, PENN. – The Grand Valley State women's basketball punched their ticket to the Final Four Tuesday night, defeating Carson-Newman 96-48 in the Elite Eight. The Lakers will advance their third Final Four in the last five seasons.
 
Behind two three-pointers from Molly Anderson, and another from Avery Zeinstra, the Lakers raced out to a 13-2 lead less than three minutes into the first quarter. After the Eagles hit a three, Ava Scanlon made a layup, then Nicole Kamin connected from deep, before Scanlon made another layup to put the Lakers up 20-5. The Laker lead grew above 20 points following a MacKenzie Bisballe three, as part of a quarter-ending 12-1 run that made the score 32-8 after one quarter.
 
A 7-2 run to begin the second stanza put GVSU up 39-10. C-N cut their deficit to 24, but the Lakers immediately scored 12 straight points, pushing their advantage over 30 points at 51-15. The Eagles were able to get a few points back before the end of the half, but GVSU still led 55-23.
 
The two teams traded baskets over the first four minutes of the second half, then Zeinstra drilled another from beyond the arc to begin a 7-0 Laker run, in which Scanlon scored the final four points. After three quarters of play, Grand Valley State led 76-39.
 
Reese Gaytan got the final period started with five early Laker points to push the lead above 40 points for the first time all game at 83-41. It briefly dipped below 40, but a 13-2 Laker run to end the game gave GVSU their highest scoring game of the season.  
 
Ava Scanlon tied her career-high with 16 points, hitting 5-8 from the field, adding five boards. Nicole Kamin also scored 16 points, burying three triples, while also having five rebounds and five steals. MacKenzie Bisballe tallied 14 points and six rebounds. Paige VanStee, Avery Lay, and Avery Zeinstra each had six boards, with Lexi Plitzuweit having six dimes.
 
Up Next
The Lakers will play on Thursday in the Final Four. Game time is set for 8:30 pm EST, with the opponent still to be determined.