Holland Reporter

The Grand Valley State women's basketball team began their season with a win against Missouri Western State at the D2CCA Tipoff Classic in St. Joseph, Missouri. The Lakers overcame an early deficit and secured an 83-61 victory.

Missouri Western State started strong, scoring the first six points of the game and prompting an early timeout from Grand Valley State. MacKenzie Bisballe got the Lakers on the scoreboard with two free throws, later tying the game at nine with a three-pointer. The Griffons responded with a 9-0 run to take an 18-9 lead, but Grand Valley State answered back with their own 9-0 run to even the score again. At the end of the first quarter, Missouri Western State led by one point.

In the second quarter, after another quick basket by Missouri Western State, Grand Valley State took control of the game with an 18-0 run. Paige VanStee contributed four consecutive points to start this stretch, followed by two three-pointers from Avery Zeinstra and another from VanStee. By halftime, Grand Valley State led 43-29.

The Lakers extended their lead in the third quarter, starting with a 6-2 run and eventually pushing ahead by as many as 18 points. They maintained momentum through a strong finish to the period and entered the fourth quarter up by 24 points.

Grand Valley State's advantage grew to as much as 27 points in the final quarter before closing out their season-opening win.

Paige VanStee led all scorers with a career-high 26 points on eight-of-fourteen shooting. She also recorded five rebounds, four steals, three assists, and two blocks. MacKenzie Bisballe finished with 13 points and eight rebounds; Avery Zeinstra added eleven points including three three-pointers; Nicole Kamin contributed nine points along with five rebounds, four assists, and three steals.

Several players made their collegiate debuts during this game: Anayya Davis, Avery Lay, Tayla Dillard, Kelly Kray, Emersen Berndt, and Reese Gaytan. Davis, Lay, Dillard, and Berndt each scored their first collegiate points.

Grand Valley State will continue play on Saturday afternoon against West Texas A&M at 2:00 p.m. Eastern time.