Much like Big Sean’s “Bounce Back,” The Lakers took an “L” and lost their game on Thursday to Ashland before traveling to play Wayne State on Saturday night, where they bounced back and pulled out a win.

“We talk about being tough in tough situations,” said head coach Mike Williams. “When you lose to Ashland, the No. 4 team in the country, in a close, hard-fought game, and then have to go on the road and play a game late Saturday night, I thought we showed that we were tough (against Wayne State).”

On Saturday, Williams said he was impressed by the performances of senior Center Cassidy Boensch and senior Guard Victoria Hedemark.

“I thought Victoria Hedemark played really well,” Williams said. “She made some great decisions on offense. Defensively, she guarded one of Wayne State’s best players and did a good job of keeping her in check, holding her to just one for seven in the game. Cassidy (Boensch) had a big game as well. She had 25 points, nine rebounds and she had three assists, which I thought was key because she did a good job of moving the basketball.”

When asked about the turning point of the game, Williams pointed to the mentality after halftime and his team’s great defensive performance in the fourth quarter.

“When we came out of halftime, it was a nine-point game and I thought we came out of the second half doing a great job of moving the basketball,” Williams said. “Also, we did a much better job defensively and held them to five points in the fourth quarter.”

Much of the team’s success this year has come from the play of Boensch, who continues to play like one of the best players in all of DII college basketball. On the season, she has averaged 21.5 points per game, recorded 54 blocks and 143 rebounds, which is almost double the next closest player. She helps to bring that tough mindset that Williams wants and it shows on the defensive side of the ball. The team runs through Boensch and she will be the key to them having a successful year.

About halfway through the season, the GVSU Women’s Basketball team improved their record to 14-1. They will continue their season against Northwood University on Jan. 16. If they continue their successful season, the Lakers will compete in the GLIAC Tournament with a chance to play in the NCAA Division II Championship in Birmingham, Alabama in March.