Grand Valley State women defeat Cal State Dominguez Hills for Division II title
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PITTSBURGH — Freshman MacKenzie Bisballe scored 14 points and her sister Rylie Bisballe added 13 as Grand Valley State secured its second Division II championship with a 70-58 win over Cal State Dominguez Hills on Friday night.
Grand Valley State (38-2) was appearing in the title game for the second time; the 2005-06 team beat American International 58-52 to finish 33-3. This year’s team won its final 13 games and also had winning streaks of 14 and 11 games in the school’s most successful season.
Cal State Dominguez Hills (36-2) won 29 straight games to start the season and was in the championship game for the first time.
The Cal State Dominguez Hills women’s basketball team reached the national title game for the first time, while the men advanced to the Final Four.
Grand Valley State held a 15-12 lead with 1:13 left in the first quarter before scoring 11 of the next 12 points to go ahead 26-13 midway through the second. The Toros struggled from the field in the first half, starting the game by making just five of 18 shots (28%).
The Lakers led 38-21 at halftime and then scored the opening nine points of the third quarter, highlighted by a three-pointer by MacKenzie Bisballe, to go ahead 47-21.
Ellie Droste added 11 points for GVSU. Lexi Plitzuweit, who had four points in 18 minutes, is the daughter of Dawn Plitzuweit, the coach of GVSU’s previous championship team. Dawn is now the coach at Minnesota.
Asia Jordan led Dominguez Hills with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Kya Pearson added 11 points. Division II player of the year Nala Williams was held to seven points on three-for-14 shooting.
Grand Valley State won despite turning the ball over 26 times — the same number the Toros forced per game this season to rank fifth in the nation.
The Toros men’s team also will play for its first title Saturday against Nova Southeastern.
Jeremy Dent-Smith scored 33 points to lead the Cal State Dominguez Hills men’s basketball to a 94-83 overtime Division II semifinal victory over Dallas Baptist.
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