Schedule
QF1: #3 Northern Michigan (22-8, 15-5 GLIAC) vs #6 Hillsdale (21-9, 16-4 G-MAC) | Noon ET Friday, March 14 | GVSU Fieldhouse | Allendale, MI
QF2: #2 Ashland (30-3, 19-1 G-MAC) vs #7 Ferris State (21-11, 13-7 GLIAC) | 2:30 PM ET Friday, March 14 | GVSU Fieldhouse | Allendale, MI
QF3: #8 Quincy (25-7, 16-4 GLVC) at #1 Grand Valley State (32-2, 19-1 GLIAC) | 5 PM ET Friday, March 14 | GVSU Fieldhouse | Allendale, MI
QF4: #4 Wayne State (19-11, 13-7 GLIAC) vs #5 Lewis (26-3, 19-1 GLVC) | 7:30 PM ET Friday, March 14 | GVSU Fieldhouse | Allendale, MI
SF1: QF 1 Winner vs QF 2 Winner | 5 p.m. ET Saturday, March 15 | GVSU Fieldhouse | Allendale, MI
SF2: QF3 Winner vs QF4 Winner | 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday, March 15 | GVSU Fieldhouse | Allendale, MI
F: SF1 Winner vs SF2 Winner | 7 p.m. ET Monday, March 17 | GVSU Fieldhouse | Allendale, MI
 
Follow/Watch
Tournament Central (Live Stats, Webcast, Tickets)
 
 
Additional Info
Hillsdale Roster | G-MAC Standings | G-MAC Stats
 
 
Projected Starters:
 
#6 Hillsdale: #3 Lauren McDonald, Sr., G, Chicago, IL/St. Ignatius/Air Force (14.6 ppg, 7.1 rpg. 3.6 apg, 1.9 spg); #15 Kendall McCormick, Sr., G, Hinckley, OH/Highland (8.1 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 1.4 spg); #24 Ellie Bruce, Fr., C, Lancaster, OH/Fisher Catholic (7.1 ppg, 3.4 rpg); #30 Caitlin Splain, Sr., G, Powell, OH/Olentangy Liberty (13.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.2 spg); #40 Emma Ruhlman, Jr., G, Warren, PA/Warren (4.2 ppg, 3.1 rpg)
 
#3 Northern Michigan: #3 Mackenzie Holzwart, G, Sr., Howards Grove, WI/Howards Grove (6.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.8 apg);  #5 Sarah Newcomer, Jr., G, Pewaukee, WI/Pewaukee (9 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.5 apg); #23 Jacy Weisbrod, Jr., G, La Crosse, WI/Aquinas/Northern Colorado (13.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg); #25 Alyssa Nimz, Sr, F, Pewaukee, WI/Catholic Memorial (8.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg); #42 Alyssa Hill, Jr., F, Negaunee, MI/Negaunee/Bemidji St. (7.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg)
 
#2 Ashland: #3 Morgan Yoder, Sr., G, Dundee, OH/Hiland (7.4 ppg, 3.2 apg); #10 Lexi Howe, So., G, Zanesville, OH/Tri-Valley (7.7 ppg, 1 spg); #22 Lydia Sweeney, Sr., G, Buffalo, NY/Grand Island Senior/Cedarville (8.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.7 apg 1.5 spg); #25 Zoe Miller, Sr, F, Berlin, OH/Hiland/Bowling Green (14.6 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.1 spg); #33 Hayley Smith, Sr., F, Canton, OH/St. Thomas Aquinas (12.1 ppg, 11.1 rpg, 2 apg, 1.4 spg)
 
#7 Ferris St.: #3 Kenzie Bowers, Sr., G, Kent City, MI/Kent City/Illinois St. (10.9 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 3.9 apg, 2 spg); #4 Elle Irwin, Jr., G, Rockford, MI/Rockford (8.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.3 apg, 2.2 spg); #24 Claire Erickson, So., F, Sault Ste. Marie, MI/Sault Area (3.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg); #25 Mia Riley, Jr., G, Fowler, MI/Fowler (14.5 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 3.1 apg, 2.8 spg); #44 Mya Hiram, Jr., F/C, Onsted, MI/Onsted (13.1 ppg, 5.3 rpg)
 
#1 Grand Valley St.: #2 Molly Anderson, Jr., G, Cadillac, MI/Cadillac (2.7 ppg, 2 apg, 1.1 spg); #12 Nicole Kamin, Jr., G, Escanaba, MI/Escanaba (9.1 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.2 apg, 2.5 spg); #14 Rylie Bisballe, Sr., F, Lake City, MI/Lake City (13.5 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.7 spg); #21 Abrie Cabana, Sr., G, Grass Lake, MI/Grass Lake (9.7 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.2 apg); #35 Kathryn Schmidt, Sr., F, Hampshire, IL/Lewis U. (5 ppg, 3.1 rpg)
 
#8 Quincy: #1 Acheampomaa Danso, Jr., F, Inver Grove Heights, MN/Simley (8.2 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1.1 spg, 1 bpg); #3 Cymirah Williams, Sr., F, Oklahoma City, OK/Milwood (10.5 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 1.5 spg, 1 bpg); #4 Mikayla Huffine, Jr., G, Rockford, IL/Rockford Lutheran (5.6 ppg); #5 Nicole McDermott, Sr., G, Cascade, IA/Cascade (15.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 3 apg, 1.4 spg); #11 Karsyn Stratton, Sr., G, Tiffin, IA/Clear Creek Amana (9.9 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 3 apg)
 
#4 Wayne St.: #2 Alyssa Leister, G, Sr., St. Louis, MI/Alma (6.7 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.1 spg);  #15 Gabi Lutchka, Jr., F, Grass Lake, MI/Grass Lake (9.3 ppg, 5 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.1 spg); #21 McKenna Ferguson, So., G, Grandville/Byron Center (12 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.6 apg, 1.5 spg); #23 Shea Tripp, Sr, F, Jackson, MI/Michigan Center (14.2 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 3.9 apg, 2.2 spg); #30 Taylor Thompson, Jr., F, Grand Blanc, MI/Grand Blanc (11.1 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 1.5 spg)
 
#5 Lewis: #11 Ally Cesarini, So., G, La Grange, IL/Lyons Twp. (10.2 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.7 spg); #12 Taylor Gugliuzza, Sr., G, New Lenox, IL/Lincoln-Way West (16.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.2 spg); #13 Jenna Badali, Sr., G, Oak Lawn, IL/Mother McAuley (10.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 4.1 apg, 1.4 spg); #24 Cierra McNamee, Sr., F, Moline, IL/Illinois Central College (9.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg); #42 Gabi Hoover, F, So., Mishawaka, IN/La Lumiere (4 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.2 bpg)
 
 
Scouting the Opposition
 
#3 Northern Michigan: The Wildcats are back in the big dance for the second straight season after finishing second in the GLIAC and reaching the semifinal round of the conference tournament.
 
Northern Michigan has a deep squad headlined by former DI Northern Colorado transfer Jacy Weisbrod, a big, physical guard with a sharpshooter's touch from outside and an ability to score at all three levels. She was an All-GLIAC honoree, as was guard Sarah Newcomer, giving the Wildcats a formidable back-court.
 
NMU has size, including the 5-10 Weisbrod and Newcomer and 6-1 posts Alyssa Nimz and Alyssa Hill. The Wildcats are especially dangerous because of their bench, which includes a third skilled 6-1 post in Abi Fraaza and dynamic guards Sydney Whitehouse and CJ Romero.
 
#2 Ashland: The four-time defending G-MAC Champions passed a stiff test from Hillsdale in the G-MAC Tourney Final this past weekend, and will look to build off that title and set up a potential rematch with top-seeded Grand Valley State in the regional final.
 
The Eagles boast one of the best defenses in NCAA DII, giving up just 50 points per game, and offensively are led by their twin towers down low, G-MAC Player of the Year Zoe Miller and double-double machine Hayley Smith. Ashland also has a deep stable of guards, led by Cedarville grad transfer Lydia Sweeney and point guard Morgan Yoder.
 
What makes Ashland especially dangerous is their depth. The Chargers held Miller and Smith in check in the championship game, but were bested by 30 combined points off the bench from reserves Sarah McKee and Ashley Mullet. It's the potential contributions off the bench that could give the Eagles enough firepower to make a run at the regional title.
 
 
#7 Ferris St.: The defending Midwest Regional Champions and a national semifinalist last season, the Bulldogs have battled their way back to the Tournament despite a season-ending injury to the team's superstar, guard Kadyn Blanchard.
 
In Blanchard's absence, Ferris has leaned more heavily on its defense and especially its ability to force turnovers and get out in transition to generate offense. The Bulldogs have two phenomenal athletes in wing Mia Riley, who's taken on a much bigger offensive role in Blanchard's absence and earned All-GLIAC honors, and post, Mya Hiram a two-way matchup nightmare, while Kenzie Bowers has also stepped up to help make up for the production lost by Blanchard and earned All-GLIAC honors as well. Elle Irwin has been a sharpshooter from the outside.
 
With a tough first-round matchup on tap, Ferris also will need contributions from its bench, including 6-foot-5 post Alyssa Wirth, wing Ally Schultz and guard Emma Schierbeek to keep hopes of a repeat title alive.
 
#1 Grand Valley St.: The host Lakers have their sights set on not just a regional but a national championship after a dominant regular season with a senior-heavy and historically talented lineup.
 
Grand Valley has tremendous size and athleticism highlighted by national Player of the Year contender Rylie Bisballe, a 6-foot-1 matchup nightmare on the court. There's no relief for opponents when Bisballe hits the bench as her younger sister MacKenzie, already a near-mirror image, takes her place.
 
Around Bisballe the Chargers have a deep lineup, including Lewis transfer and post Kathryn Schmidt, lead guard Nicole Kamin and deadeye sharpshooter Abrie Cabana. The team is so deep that one of the nation's top players two years ago, two-time All-GLIAC guard Ellie Droste, comes off the bench for the Lakers, who have former Hillsdale assistant Amanda Parker on the coaching staff.
 
Grand Valley is an impressive team offensively, but what's truly terrifying is the program's defense, giving up just 52.3 points per game. They'll be very tough to knock off on their home court this weekend.
 
#8 Quincy: The Cinderella Hawks earned their first NCAA Tourney bid in 20 years with a 64-60 win over Maryville in the GLVC title game, and will be looking for more magic this weekend as they aim to pull what might be the biggest upset of the tournament if it happens.
 
Quincy has risen under second-year head coach Courtney Boyd, who's melded talent from the previous regime like athletic posts Acheampomaa Danso and Cymirah Williams with two high-scoring transfers from Boyd's previous job, Clarke University, first-team All-GLVC honoree Nicole McDermott and super-sub Taylor Haase. The combination has been potent, with a 25-win season and a breakthrough conference tourney run for the Hawks, who also employ former Hillsdale assistant Brooke Bailey on the coaching staff.
 
Quincy has weathered an injury to All-GLVC guard Mariann Blass, who missed the team's tourney run, but will need all the help they can get to stay in the game with the powerhouse Lakers on Friday.
 
#4 Wayne St.: Carrie Lohr's sixth season has been the breakthrough Wayne State has been hoping for, as the Warriors rode a strong performance in the GLIAC to its first NCAA Tourney bid since 2022.
 
Wayne State has a veteran lineup headlined by dynamic point forward Shea Tripp, who leads the team in scoring and assists at 5-foot-10, and sharpshooting post player Gabi Lutchka, both of whom are from the nearby Jackson area originally.
 
Post Taylor Thompson has been a breakout star for the Warriors, joining Tripp on the All-GLIAC teams, and headlines the team's imposing front line, with four starters at 5-10 or taller, and several of the top subs also over 5-foot-10.
 
The Warriors are an excellent rebounding team as befitting their size, and have been a strong defensive team this season to reach this point. They'll look to match or exceed their 2022 run by winning their first round game on Friday.
 
#5 Lewis: The Flyers have developed into a NCAA Tourney regular in three seasons under head coach Keisha Newell, with their third straight 20-win season this winter, and are looking to take the next step in the NCAA Tourney after two first-round exits.
 
Lewis is led by two strong veterans in guards Taylor Gugliuzza and Jenna Badali to build around. Badali, an All-GLVC honoree is a talented distributor at point guard and Gugliuzza, the GLVC Player of the Year is a physical presence and a good rebounder for her position that gets to the rim and the free throw line consistently.
 
In the post, All-GLVC honoree Cierra McNamee and Gabi Hoover have made critical contributions for the Flyers, while third guard Ally Cesarini also earned All-GLVC honors and gives Lewis an imposing trio in the back-court.
 
Lewis' 26-3 record only got them a five-seed in the tourney due to a lack of marquee non-conference wins, but the Flyers will have a chance to prove they've been underestimated with a strong run this weekend.
 

Scouting Hillsdale
 
Coming off the best regular-season conference finish in over a decade, and with a significant chunk of talent returning, hopes were high that a multi-season rise could continue for the Hillsdale College women's basketball program in 2024-25.
 
Over the course of the 2024-25 season, Hillsdale turned those hopes into reality with a 21-9 record and their best conference finish since the 2008-09 season, followed by a run to their first G-MAC Tournament title game since 2018. All that success helped Hillsdale earn its first tourney berth since 2018 and first at-large berth since 2008.

Hillsdale was a veteran team entering this season, as seven of the Chargers' top eight minutes-getters returned from a 2023-24 squad that went 17-12 and tied for fourth in the G-MAC last season, including six players who started six or more games.

Leading the way is senior combo guard Lauren McDonald, who earned first-team All-G-MAC honors with a stellar senior campaign that saw her fully live up to her potential as one of the best players in the Midwest region. Hillsdale also has been blessed with a career season from Caitlin Splain, also a first-team All-G-MAC honoree who's evolved into a complete player and standout guard.

Hillsdale's third senior starter, Kendall McCormick, continues to be one of the Chargers' top defenders and rebounders and a huge asset to the team in multiple phases of the game.
 
In the paint, Hillsdale has overcome an injury to starter Savannah Smith, who was having an impressive season before she went down, with strong play from freshman Ellie Bruce, especially in the last couple of weeks, and key contributions off the bench from Marilyn Popplewell, who joined the program in December after an All-American volleyball career at Hillsdale and has been a huge asset in the final month.
 
The Chargers have developed depth, headed by super-sub and knock-down shooter Annalise Pietrzyk on the wings. Emma Ruhlman has been an important part of Hillsdale's run in G-MAC play since being inserted in the starting lineup, and Sarah Aleknavicius and Sydney Pnacek also regularly play for the Chargers.
 
Head Coach Brianna Brennan is off to an impressive start to her head coaching career two seasons in, with a 38-21 overall record, and is supported by second-year assistants Abbey McNeil and Morgan Galloway.
 
 
Other Notes:

• Hillsdale is making its sixth NCAA Tournament appearance since changing classifications in 1990, and its first since 2018, with a 1-5 all-time record in the Big Dance. Hillsdale's only NCAA Tournament victory came on March 7, 2002 in a 77-59 victory over Gannon in the opening round. While Hillsdale only has one win, the Chargers have been close to adding another multiple times, losing by one point to Bellarmine in 2003 and by one to Indianapolis in 2009.
• Hillsdale's runner-up finish in the G-MAC is the best finish by a Chargers team in the regular season since Hillsdale won the GLIAC South Division title and tied for the best regular season record in 2009. The Chargers' 16 conference wins are also second behind the Chargers' 19 victories in 2009 for the best conference mark in the 46-year history of the program. Hillsdale's 21 wins are the fifth-most in a single season in program history, behind the Chargers' 27 wins in 2008-09 and three 23-win seasons (2001-02, 2002-03, 2007-08).
• Hillsdale had two players earn first-team All-G-MAC honors this season, as seniors Lauren McDonald and Caitlin Splain were among the 10 who earned the distinction in the conference. It's McDonald's second conference honor after earning second team honors as a junior, and Splain's first-ever conference honor.
• McDonald is a key player for the Chargers, averaging 14.6 points to lead Hillsdale and finish the 2024-25 regular season ranked fourth in the G-MAC. McDonald also leads Hillsdale in rebounds, assists and steals, and ranks in the top 10 in the G-MAC in field goal percentage (9^th), free throw percentage (7^th), rebounds per game (7^th), assists per game (2^nd), steals per game (2^nd) and assist to turnover ratio (5^th). She surpassed 1,000 points for her collegiate career on Saturday at Kentucky Wesleyan on Feb. 8 and had perhaps the best game of her career this past weekend, putting up a 30-point, 10-rebound double-double to help Hillsdale secure a runner-up conference finish with a 68-62 win at Malone.
• Caitlin Splain stands alone among sharpshooters in Hillsdale College history, as she broke the career 3-pointers in the Feb. 15 game against Northwood. Her 252 career 3-pointers entering this weekend exceed the program's previous all-time made 3-pointer record of 237 set by Chelsea Harrison from 2008 to 2012, and ranks third all-time in G-MAC history. The 3-point record is Splain's second milestone this season, as she also became the 21^st player in Hillsdale College women's basketball history to reach 1,000 points against Cedarville on Jan. 30, and currently ranks 15^th in Chargers history with 1,177 points. In addition, Splain's 70 3-pointers in 2024-25 lead the G-MAC and rank sixth all-time in program history for a single season. As a team Hillsdale is shooting 33.1% from deep, fourth-best in the G-MAC.
• Sophomore Annalise Pietrzyk was key to Hillsdale's stunning upset of Ferris State on Dec. 16, scoring a career-high 19 points in a 76-61 victory. Her play helped her earn G-MAC Women's Basketball Player of the Week honors, her first in her career at Hillsdale and the team's first in the 2024-25 season. The sophomore is developing into a key two-way contributor for the Chargers off the bench, shooting an impressive 42.9% from 3-point range and averaging 7.6 points per game so far, including a 17-point performance on 5 of 6 3-point shooting in a 74-60 win over Ursuline on Feb. 22.
• Senior Kendall McCormick had back-to-back career games to lead Hillsdale to road victories over Cedarville and Northwood on Jan. 11 and 14, scoring a combined 50 points in the two wins and setting and then resetting her career high for points in a single game. A key defensive stopper for multiple years for Hillsdale, McCormick has showcased an improved offensive game this season and has been one of the Chargers' top rebounders at 5.4 per contest.
• Sophomore Savannah Smith is making the leap this season after coming off the bench her first year in 2023-24. Smith has already more than doubled her total of double-digit scoring games with 12 in 21 starts so far this season, and is averaging a solid 9.8 points per game. She's forming a strong post tandem with freshman Ellie Bruce, who's been an instant contributor off the bench for the Chargers as well with 7.1 points per game.
• Senior Marilyn Popplewell is providing a lift off the bench for the Chargers in the past couple of weeks. A four-year starter and two-time All-American for Hillsdale's volleyball program, Popplewell joined the basketball program in December and has showcased her athleticism in her new sport, with a 14-rebound effort at Tiffin on Feb. 13 and nine rebounds against Northwood on Feb. 15. Her latest outings include a career-high 12 points in a 74-60 win over Ursuline on Feb. 22 and matching that with 12 against Cedarville in the G-MAC Quarterfinal. Her energy and athleticism in the post could be a huge X-factor for the Chargers in the postseason.
• Hillsdale's defense ranks among the top in the G-MAC so far, as the Chargers are conceding just 60.8 points per game, currently third in the G-MAC. Teams are shooting just 39.2% from the floor so far against Hillsdale, and 28.4% from 3-point range. The Chargers are also controlling the glass, grabbing 39.1 rebounds per game, the most by any team in the G-MAC.
• The Chargers have become more efficient as the season has worn on, and now boast the G-MAC's second-best assist-to-turnover ratio at 0.99, behind only multi-time defending conference champion Ashland, and tied for 39^th across all of NCAA DII.