A 10-hour drive to the U.P. and a stifling defense proved to be too much for the Grand Valley State women’s basketball team.

GVSU’s season ended this past week when they were downed by Michigan Tech University this past Wednesday in the first round of the GLIAC tournament, 71-56.

The Lakers were held to 34 percent shooting for the game, including 1-of-13 from three-point range.

“It was disappointing to end our season to say the least,” said head coach Janel Burgess. “Unfortunately, we just didn’t have enough to beat Tech on their home court.”

GVSU ended their season with a record of 19-8, coming up just a few wins short of a NCAA tournament birth, and a possible GLIAC championship.

“We didn’t accomplish everything we set out to do this season, but we gave it a pretty good run at it,” said senior Breanna Kellogg who tallied ten points in the loss. “Throughout the year, we continued to improve. Sometimes that’s all you can ask.”

It was the last game for one of the most accomplished players in Laker history. Senior Briauna Taylor led the team in numerous statistical categories throughout the season, and was the go-to player for the Lakers in down the stretch moments.

“She has had such a phenomenal career here at Grand Valley,” Burgess said. “The effort she displayed will hopefully be carried over to teams in years to come.”

Throughout the year, Taylor led the team in scoring in 17 games, and also led the team in rebounds in 15 games as well. Taylor will also leave GVSU as one of the all-time leading scorers for the Lakers, posting 1,466 points during her four years in Allendale.

“She has done such great things for Grand Valley State University on and off the court,” Burgess said. “She’s one of the greats to come through here, and won’t be forgotten anytime soon.”

Although the Lakers didn’t reach some of their goals by not making the NCAA tournament, or winning the GLIAC title, the team does not feel as if it had a disappointing season.

“This was probably the best year for talent in the GLIAC in quite some time,” Burgess said. “There were four legitimate NCAA tournament teams, unfortunately we weren’t number five.”

The Lakers will be much younger next year, as they will only have one senior, that being Danni Crandal. Despite this, coach Burgess is excited about the 2013-2014 campaign.

“Hopefully next years team can improve in some of the areas where we struggled,” said senior Alex Stelfox. “I hope we made an impact here at Grand Valley, and somewhat set the tone for teams that will eventually come through here.”

Next years team, which will feature several players with quality experience, will look to improve in the areas where this team struggled and also keep improving in the areas of the game where this year’s team progressed.

“We just have to continue to be who we are, and continue to do the great thing that Grand Valley does on a regular basis,” Burgess said. “We have a handful of girls on this roster that are coming back next year that have already played valuable minutes. It should be another exciting season.”
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