Holland Reporter

The Grand Valley State University (GVSU) women's basketball team has secured a spot in the Final Four after defeating Gannon with a score of 60-32. This marks the third time in ten seasons that GVSU has reached this stage. The Lakers will face Pittsburg State, seeded fourth, on Wednesday at 8:30 PM.

The game started slowly, with both teams taking nearly two minutes to score. Nicole Kamin made the first basket. At one point, the game was tied at four, but GVSU pulled ahead with five quick points from Rylie Bisballe and Lexi Plitzuweit, ending the first quarter at 11-6.

In the second quarter, Bisballe's three-pointer increased GVSU's lead to eight points. Although Gannon reduced the gap to four points midway through the period, GVSU responded with a 6-0 run, including an Abrie Cabana three-pointer, extending their lead to ten. Gannon managed a 6-0 run before halftime, trailing by only four points at 22-18.

The third quarter saw GVSU dominate by outscoring Gannon 20-5 while shooting 50% from the field. After initially trading baskets with Gannon, the Lakers went on a decisive 16-2 run led by threes from Bisballe and Kathryn Schmidt, finishing the quarter ahead at 42-23.

In the final period, despite an early push from Gannon scoring four of six points, GVSU executed a 12-0 run to secure their victory and advance to Wednesday's game.

Rylie Bisballe achieved a double-double with 17 points and 14 rebounds while shooting 53.8%. MacKenzie Bisballe followed with nine points. Ellie Droste and Abrie Cabana each added seven points. Nicole Kamin contributed six points and eight rebounds; Lexi Plitzuweit collected five boards.

Defensively, GVSU limited Gannon to just 25.9% shooting overall and only 10.5% from beyond the arc while forcing them into committing 21 turnovers—the fewest points scored by the Golden Knights in any game this season.

Next up for GVSU is their match against Pittsburg State on Wednesday night at UMPC Cooper Fieldhouse.