Holland Reporter

The GVSU women's basketball team secured a spot in the Division II National Championship with a 68-61 victory over Pittsburg State. The Lakers are set to compete against Cal-State Dominguez Hills on Friday at 7:00 for the national title.

In the game against Pittsburg State, Grand Valley State began with two early three-pointers, taking a lead of 8-4. Although the Gorillas narrowed the gap to 10-9, a 10-2 run from the Lakers expanded their lead to 20-11. By the end of the first quarter, GVSU led 22-15.

The second quarter saw a close exchange of points, but GVSU managed a run to lead by double digits at 30-20. By halftime, the Lakers maintained an 11-point lead, at 35-24.

Rylie Bisballe's layup at the start of the second half stretched the Lakers' lead to 13 points. However, Pittsburg State responded with a 15-2 run to tie the game at 39, fueled by a three-point play. The teams continued trading runs, with the Gorillas eventually taking a brief lead at 46-44 before Bisballe's buzzer-beater tied the game at the end of the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, the Lakers launched an 8-0 run to take a 54-46 lead. Although the Gorillas closed the gap to 60-58 with 2:29 left, Nicole Kamin's layup and subsequent free throws by Kamin and Paige Vanstee helped seal the victory for GVSU.

Nicole Kamin was instrumental in the second half, scoring 15 of her 21 points then and also leading with seven rebounds and seven steals. Rylie Bisballe contributed 17 points, and Paige Vanstee added 11 points. Additional support came from MacKenzie Bisballe and Ellie Droste with points and crucial plays.

GVSU will now face Cal-State Dominguez Hills for the national championship title on Friday night.