Grand Valley State University’s women’s basketball team closed out a dominant week after being named Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) regular season champions for the fourth consecutive regular season. After back-to-back wins against Wayne State University, 85-67, on Thursday, Feb. 20, and Saginaw Valley State University, 93-56, on Saturday, Feb. 22, the team made history as the winningest class in GVSU’s program with their 134th career victory.

On Thursday, the Lakers took to their home court against the Warriors in matching pink sneakers and socks to commemorate their annual PINK Game to support cancer research efforts. As soon as the clock started, GVSU got the jump on the Warriors with Laker Kathryn Schmidt bolting into the paint and sinking a layup for the Lakers. GVSU continued to score two more back-to-back layups, taking an early 6-0 lead against WSU. The Warriors retaliated with a 3-pointer from Alyssa Leister. However, the Lakers refused to give up control and matched the Warriors with another 3-pointer by Abrie Cabana.

Throughout the duration of the game’s first quarter, the Warriors played catch-up with the Lakers. Whenever WSU got close to tying, GVSU doubled down offensively, closing the door on the Warriors. By the end of the quarter, GVSU was up by five points, 27-22.

Only three seconds into the second quarter, Rylie Bisballe was already to the net with a layup for the Lakers. Just moments later, Rylie Bisballe was back in the paint, driving another one into the basket. Six minutes in, Cabana sank a 3-pointer, marking a 13-point lead for the Lakers. WSU began to gain some momentum, as Gabi Lutchka drilled a 3-pointer for the Warriors, which was followed by a layup and another 3-pointer. 

Just as the Warriors began to catch up, the Lakers were awarded free throws, cutting their momentum short. With Ellie Droste behind the line for the Lakers, she was off the mark for the first. Quickly regaining her composure, she calmly sank the second with ease. Following Droste’s free throw, Cabana wasted no time getting to the basket, leaving WSU’s defense scrambling as she made a fast-break layup. By the end of the quarter, GVSU managed to keep a tight hold on their lead with a 46-39 score.

Coming back from halftime, the Lakers dominated the third quarter. Schmidt set the quarter’s tone, making a 3-pointer with pinpoint accuracy. GVSU kept their momentum going through the quarter, with MacKenzie Bisballe slicing through WSU’s defense to sink a layup, bringing the Lakers’ lead to 10 points. The Lakers closed out the quarter with a 16-point lead and a score of 67-51.

In the final quarter, the Lakers were unstoppable. Starting off the quarter, the Warriors fouled the Lakers, awarding GVSU free throws. Once again, Droste was back behind the line. This time, she made both shots with ease. WSU fought hard to bridge the gap, cutting GVSU’s lead to 11 points. However, the Lakers refused to let up, and closed the door on the Warriors. With a minute and a half left on the clock, MacKenzie Bisballe made a layup, bringing the Lakers to a 21-point lead. Refusing to give up without a fight, Lutchka drilled a 3-pointer from downtown, bringing GVSU’s lead down to 18, and closing out the game, 85-67. 

The Lakers’ victory over WSU secured them the GLIAC regular season championship title and earned them the number one title in their seed. Following their victory against the Warriors, the Lakers faced off against SVSU on Saturday in the Battle of the Valleys.

The Lakers started strong against the Cardinals with an early nine-point lead. From there, the Lakers were able to stretch their lead to 14 points from a 3-pointer and layup by Droste and Paige Vanstee. Both teams continued to fight for momentum until the end of the quarter. GVSU led by 12 points, heading into the second with the score of 24-12.

The Cardinals started off the second quarter with renewed vigor. Scoring seven consecutive points from the start, the Cardinals were able to slice the Lakers’ lead down to five points. The Lakers quickly regained control of the quarter with a layup and two, back-to-back free throws, bringing their lead down to 10 points. By the end of the quarter, the Lakers were up 15 points, 42-27.

After halftime, the Lakers left the Cardinals in the dust with a commanding 29-point lead by the end of the quarter.

GVSU continued to apply pressure onto the Cardinals’ defense, leaving them scrambling to catch up. Molly Anderson barreled a quick 3-pointer into the basket from downtown, bringing the score to 51-27. With one minute left on the clock, the Lakers were able to dish out two more 3-pointers from Cabana and Droste, finishing out the game with a final score of 66-39.

During the game, Rylie Bisballe reached 1,500 career points, becoming the seventh player in GVSU program history to ever do so.

“I think today’s win was a team effort,” said Rylie Bisballe. “We have definitely been trying to help each other more, especially in the defensive end. We need to continue being confident and consistent heading into the next two games and the GLIAC tournament.”

In less than a month, the GLIAC Tournament is set to begin on Wednesday, March 5.​​ The Lakers are set to enter the tournament as the top seed, following their regular season championship title.

“GLIAC is a tough conference and we respect every team, so playing our game to our (best) ability will help us a lot,” said Vanstee.