GLIAC -- The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) has announced its weekly awards following the fifth week of the 2024-25 women's basketball season. Grand Valley State senior forward Rylie Bisballe was recognized as GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week while Wayne State junior forward Taylor Thompson received GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week accolades.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Rylie Bisballe, Grand Valley State
For the first time this season, Grand Valley State senior forward Rylie Bisballe has earned GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week honors. Over two Laker victories, Bisballe scored 31 points, shooting 55% from the floor, while adding seven rebounds, six assists, five steals, and three blocks. In Thursday’s 93-36 victory over SVSU, she tallied 16 points on 7-9 from the field, dished out four assists, grabbed three rebounds, and had three steals, despite only playing 15 minutes. She followed that up with 15 points and four rebounds in the 80-59 win at Wayne State. This season, Bisballe has scored in double-figures in all nine Laker contests and is shooting 58% from the field, ranking in the top-20 nationally.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Taylor Thompson, Wayne State
Wayne State junior forward Taylor Thompson helped the Warriors to a 1-1 week with the only setback coming against top-ranked Grand Valley State. She nearly averaged a double-double (16.5 PPG and 9.5 RPG) for the opening week of GLIAC play. In Thursday's victory over Davenport, Thompson finished the contest with 17 points, 10 rebounds, two steals, an assist and a block. She recorded four points, six rebounds, an assist, a blocked shot and a steal in the decisive third quarter (WSU led 32-30 at halftime). To help seal the win, she went 5-for-5 from the field with two rebounds and a steal in the fourth period vs. the Panthers. Thompson nearly notched a double-double against GVSU with 16 points and nine rebounds, which tied for game-high honors. She also contributed two steals, two assists and a block. Thompson is currently second in the GLIAC in rebounds (8.7 boards per contest) heading into Wednesday's home contest against 8-1 Edinboro.
HONORABLE MENTION
Offense: Cassidy Arni (Parkside), Kadyn Blanchard (Ferris State), Breah Golden (Lake Superior State), Aleshia Jones (Saginaw Valley State), Taylor Thompson (Wayne State) Janie Tormanen (Michigan Tech), Jacy Weisbrod (Northern Michigan)
Defense: Emma Anderson (Michigan Tech), Rylie Bisballe (Grand Valley State), Kenzie Bowers (Ferris State), Grace Bradford (Lake Superior State), Ava Locklear (Saginaw Valley State), Alyssa Nimz (Northern Michigan), Taylor Thompson (Wayne State), Chloe Van Zeeland (Parkside)
