The Grand Valley State University women’s basketball team logged plenty of miles over the holiday break with a trip to Florida and a pair of conference road games, and at the end of it all, the Lakers are on their first winning streak of the season.

On Saturday, GVSU (7-7, 4-3 GLIAC) traveled to Lake Superior State University and picked up its third straight GLIAC win.

“I’m really proud,” said GVSU head coach Janel Burgess. “We moved the ball, shot the ball well and everyone bought in. It’s what we’ve so desperately been waiting for.”

The Lakers used long range shooting in the form of eight 3-pointers to sink Lake Superior State University (5-8, 1-5 GLIAC), 74-53.

Sophomore forwards Kellie Watson and Briauna Taylor paced the offense from beyond arc, knocking down seven triples between them and adding 16 and 19 points, respectively.

Junior Alex Stelfox, who sunk a buzzer-beating layup in the team’s 50-48 win at Saginaw Valley State University
on Thursday, said the Lakers have been working on shooting and moving the ball in practice, which are important
elements to maintain a balance on offense.

Senior forward Kara Crawford complimented GVSU’s long range shooting by chipping in with 13 points and six rebounds against Lake Superior State.

“We’ve worked really hard and I think we’re finally in the right mindset,” she said. “As a fifth-year, I couldn’t be more proud of our defensive effort. The games we lost were probably because shots weren’t falling, but now everything is starting to click.”

In Thursday’s game at Saginaw Valley State University (3-10, 1-5 GLIAC), GVSU pulled out a thrilling come from behind victory, capped off by Stelfox late game heroics.

The Lakers overcame a 10-point second-half deficit behind strong defense from Crawford and sophomore guard Breanna Kellogg.

“That was the first buzzer beater I have ever had,” said Stelfox. “The play wasn’t even meant for me, it was supposed to go to Briauna Taylor, but I was open and Kellie Watson gave me the ball. I put a hook shot and it took forever to go down, but I’m glad it did because I didn’t want to go to overtime.”

Prior to the New Year, GVSU defeated defending GLIAC and Midwest Regional Champions and then-No. 7 Michigan Technological University (9-3, 4-2 GLIAC) for the first time in five years.

“It meant a lot to beat Tech, it was a turning point for us,” Crawford said. “I’ve been here for five years and never beat them. That was probably the best game we’ve played all season and it was nice to get a win because we’ve been close so many times.”

Following the marquee victory over the Huskies, GVSU traveled to Florida to take on Florida Southern University (10-4) and the University of Tampa.

Briauna Taylor led the way in both contests in the sunshine state, scoring 22 points against Florida Southern
and 14 against Tampa (7-5). Despite Taylor’s efforts, GVSU lost both contests.

The Lakers will challenge Northwood University on Wednesday at 6 p.m. in the Fieldhouse Arena.