News Summary
The Grand Valley State University women’s basketball team secured their spot in the Division II national championship game after defeating Pittsburg State 68-61. With this victory, GVSU boasts an impressive 37-2 record and will face Cal State Dominguez Hills, who defeated Union (Tenn.) 68-50. The championship game marks GVSU’s second appearance in the finals, aiming to add to their legacy as the only Michigan school to have won a Division II national title in women’s basketball. Anticipation is high as fans look forward to this crucial matchup.
Pittsburgh – The Grand Valley State University (GVSU) women’s basketball team has clinched a spot in the Division II national championship game after a hard-fought victory over Pittsburg State, winning 68-61 in the semifinals on March 23. This win advances GVSU’s record to an impressive 37-2 and sets them up for the championship showdown scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday.
On the other side of the court, GVSU will face Cal State Dominguez Hills, who triumphed over Union (Tenn.) with a decisive score of 68-50. The matchup marks GVSU’s second appearance in a national championship game, with their previous appearance occurring in 2006. Cal State Dominguez Hills enters the game with a remarkable record of 36-1 and is pursuing their first national title.
The semifinal match against Pittsburg State unfolded at UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse, where GVSU captured an early lead, ending the first half with a score of 35-24. However, the momentum shifted in the third quarter as Pittsburg State seized their first lead with just under four and a half minutes left in the period. The quarter concluded with both teams tied at 46, thanks in part to a clutch jumper from GVSU’s Rylie Bisballe.
The fourth quarter started strong for GVSU, who scored the initial eight points, allowing them to pull ahead of Pittsburg State. Although Pittsburg State fought back, narrowing the deficit to 60-58 late in the game, GVSU’s Nicole Kamin responded with a crucial layup that extended the lead to 62-58. A critical moment in the game came when Pittsburg State’s Maycee James was called for a charge, resulting in her fifth foul, which hampered her team’s efforts to regain control.
GVSU secured their victory by executing flawlessly at the free-throw line in the closing moments, converting all six of their attempts. The standout performer of the night was Nicole Kamin, who contributed significantly with 21 points, seven steals, seven rebounds, four assists, and one block. Rylie Bisballe added 17 points to the effort, while redshirt junior guard Paige Vanstee scored 11 points. Freshman guard MacKenzie Bisballe, sister to Rylie, played a vital role as well, contributing eight points alongside two blocks and six rebounds.
Pittsburg State’s Grace Pyle led her team as the top scorer with 25 points, supported by Karenna Gerber, who recorded 13 points and eight rebounds. GVSU’s defense was a key factor in their victory, as they forced Pittsburg State into committing 20 turnovers throughout the match.
The GVSU women’s basketball team is currently riding a 12-game winning streak, with their semifinal victory being the closest margin during this impressive run. Throughout their history, Grand Valley State remains the only school from Michigan to have won a Division II national championship in women’s basketball, making this upcoming championship game a crucial milestone.
As anticipation builds for the championship game against Cal State Dominguez Hills, fans and players alike are eager to see if GVSU can capture another national title and add to their storied legacy in collegiate women’s basketball.
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Additional Resources
- Detroit News: GVSU Women’s Hoops Moves on to Final Four
- Wikipedia: Grand Valley State Lakers
- Holland Sentinel: GVSU Strong Defensive Effort in Elite Eight
- Google Search: Grand Valley State women’s basketball
- NMU Wildcats: Wildcats Suffer Defeat Against No. 1 GVSU
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Grand Valley State University
- ESPN: GVSU vs. Ohio State Women’s Basketball Game
- Google News: GVSU basketball
Author: STAFF HERE GRANDRAPIDS WRITER
GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER The GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGrandRapids.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as ArtPrize, Festival of the Arts, and World of Winter. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in furniture, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Steelcase, Spectrum Health, and Meijer. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
