PITTSBURGH, PENN. – The Grand Valley State women's basketball team is back in the National Championship for the second straight year, and the third time in program history. The Lakers will take on Indiana University, Pennsylvania Saturday afternoon at 3:00 for a chance to write their name in the history books.
 
Tournament Central
Live Stats | Video | Radio | Tickets | Saturday | 3:00
 
Grand Valley State advanced to the championship match with a gritty, defensive-minded 61-39 win over UAH in the Final Four. GVSU did not shoot well from the field in the win, but also held the Chargers to less than 30% from the field and dominated the glass, outrebounding them 64-28. MacKenzie Bisballe tallied a 13-point, 19-rebound double-double. The 13 rebounds were the most since Cassidy Boensch had 23 back in the 2018-19 season. Paige VanStee recorded 21 points and six rebounds, with Nicole Kamin adding 13 points and nine boards. Ava Scanlon also tallied nine rebounds.
 
This will be the third National Championship game appearance in program history for the Lakers. They previously appeared in 2006 and again last season, winning both times. They are looking to become the first team since Lubbock Christian in 2019 and 2021 to win consecutive titles, and the first since Cal Poly Pomona in 2001 and 2002 to win in back-to-back calendar years.
 
The Red Hawks earned their spot in the National Championship game by defeating Holy Family in overtime in the Elite Eight, then took down Colorado Mesa in the Final Four. The Red Hawks are one an eight-game winning streak, winning the PSC Tournament, then taking the Atlantic Regional title to get a spot in their program's first National Championship game. IUP is one of the best offenses in the country, shooting 49.5% from the field as a team, second in the country. They also connect on 35.4% of their threes, also a national top 10 mark. Two Hawks average over 15 points a game, led by Nyshae' Weaver, who generates 15.9 points and 9.2 rebounds, while Teresa Maggio shoots 40.3% from deep to average 15.2 points. Defensively, IUP allows only 58.3 points, registering over 10 steals a game. This will be the first ever meeting between GVSU and IUP.
 
How To Follow
Thursday's game will be available to follow along with via live stats or live stream on ESPN+. You can also listen live on the radio on The Ticket. For full coverage, follow along on social media @gvsuwbb and online at GVSUlakers.com.