The Grand Valley State women’s basketball team took care of business on the road with a 50-45 win over the Lake Erie Storm Saturday, Jan. 7. The Lakers (10-3, 5-2 GLIAC) used a 14-point halftime lead to propel them to a conference win.

“We showed some toughness on the road,” said GVSU coach Mike Williams. “We stayed the course. We had a game plan we put in, and I thought our players stuck to it very well.”

The bulk of the offensive production did not come from one of the five GVSU starters, but from one of the first players off the bench. For the second time in four games, Taylor Parmley led the team in points.

Parmley finished the game with 11 points and six rebounds, proving to be a menace on the low blocks.

“I think I have an advantage on the low block,” Parmley said. “I feel like I’m pretty good at drawing fouls, but it’s also getting good passes from my teammates putting me in that position to be able to score.”

Parmley missed a few games due to an ankle injury, but since her return she has done nothing but provide the Lakers with instant offense off the bench.

“Since she’s been back, her ankle is better now and she’s able to move, and she’s back to the way she was at the end of last year,” Williams said. “She’s a tough (matchup) inside because she can score.”

Parmley was also the leading scorer in the Lakers’ toughest test this season, Ashland. GVSU hosted the top ranked team in the nation Monday, Dec. 19 in one of their four games over the Holiday break, and other than a three minute stretch in the third quarter, the Lakers gave them everything they can handle. 

To close out the third quarter, the Eagles scored 13 unanswered points, enough to pull away from the Lakers.

“It’s always fun to get a challenge like Ashland,” said GVSU senior Piper Tucker. “It motivated us to come back strong for the next two games over break.”

GVSU proceeded to win the next two games during the winter recess, one in convincing fashion against Wisconsin-Parkside on New Year’s Eve. The Lakers dominated in the 82-53 victory.

A couple of bench players that have also had an impact on the Lakers success are freshmen Cassidy Boensch and Jenn DeBoer. The freshmen duo led the team in scoring with double-digit points against Wisconsin-Parkside.

Boensch, a tough matchup for any team because of her height, is improving each game and becoming more acclimated with the competitiveness of college basketball.

“I think she’s gotten used to the physical aspect of the college game,” Williams said. “She’s adjusting and being more aggressive and with that comes success.”

Another player who found her rhythm over the past few games is Piper Tucker. The veteran forward recorded two double-digit point games in the last four games, including a team-high 16 points against Tiffin in an 85-39 win.

“Staying confident and looking for my shot is the main thing for me,” Tucker said.

After going 3-1 over the holiday break, the Lakers are ranked No. 21 in the nation and second in the GLIAC North Division behind rival Saginaw Valley State. The Lakers will look to continue the success in a two-game GLIAC road trip next weekend. GVSU will face off against Northwood Thursday, Jan. 12 and Lake Superior State Saturday, Jan. 14.