As the defending national champions, the No. 1 Grand Valley State University women’s basketball team (3-0) won 69-44 in a road matchup against Walsh University (1-1) Saturday. The game, which took place in North Canton, Ohio, extended the Lakers’ winning streak and provided the momentum needed to keep moving forward.
In the first quarter, after the Cavaliers got things started with a layup, GVSU returned the favor with a powerful 11-2 run. With three minutes left in the quarter, sophomore forward MacKenzie Bisballe scored in the paint, giving the Lakers a 15-9 lead. GVSU maintained the lead and ended the quarter leading 20-11.
Head coach Mike Williams felt the Lakers had a bit of a slow start to the game, but did well.
“I thought we were a little rusty,” said head coach Mike Williams. “We haven’t played for two weeks, and I think sometimes it takes a little bit to get going again. (It was) a slow start, but I thought we played with energy, I thought we played hard (and I) thought we played together.”
In the second quarter, Walsh cut into the Lakers’ lead, bringing the lead down to seven points. However, GVSU continued to hold the advantage in the game thanks to a 3-point shot by redshirt senior guard/forward Paige VanStee. The Lakers took a 35-19 lead after a 3-point shot by freshman guard/forward Avery Lay. GVSU ended the quarter strong, leading 37-21 at halftime.
Walsh started a strong attack out of the half with two big 3-pointers of their own. GVSU was able to score after each 3-pointer off easy layups, including one by Bisballe, making the score 46-27 Lakers. Sophomore guard Sydney Cherney’s 3-point shot gave GVSU a 49-29 lead with 6.29 left in the third quarter. The Lakers led 54-35 at the end of the quarter.
With 8:34 left in the game, a layup by freshman guard Jordyn Bonnema made the score 60-38 Lakers. Despite a 20-point lead by the Lakers with two minutes left, turnovers were starting to become the story for both teams, although they did not significantly affect the score. GVSU climbed to a 66-44 lead with 1:52 left after a couple of free throws by freshman guard Madi Uyl. The Lakers held on for the 69-44 win over Walsh.
Williams felt the Cavaliers were an excellent opponent for the Lakers.
“I thought we had the size advantage on them,” said Williams. “We went deep in our bench, (a) little deeper than they did, but they did a great job rotating defensively. When we penetrate, they send one or two players the ball, and (have) us make decisions (and) scramble on the backside. We rushed shots around the rim, which we usually don’t, and maybe it’s because they came over at us and kept us off balance. I don’t think we had a lot of trouble with it, but it just kept us guessing.”
In the stats department, Bisballe led the team with 20 points. Both redshirt-senior guard Lexi Plitzuweit and redshirt sophomore Ava Scanlon led with six rebounds. Redshirt senior Nicole Kamin led with seven assists. Both Bisbelle and VanStee led with two blocks on the night. Redshirt senior guard Molly Anderson led with four steals.
