BIRMINGHAM – Glenville's State's Lady Pioneers are in the National Championship game!
 
On the day she was named National Coach of the Year by the WBCA, head coach Kim Stephens and her GSU squad used a power surge in the second half to pull away from Grand Valley State, 77-53, in Wednesday's NCAA Final Four matchup in Birmingham, Alabama. The storied program is advancing to the national title game for the first time in school history. 
 
Early on, the game was very tight. Neither team could produce a lead of more than five points, as the first half was a defensive struggle. Glenville State led 14-12 after one quarter, but the Lakers bounced back and carried a 29-27 lead into halftime. 
 
Grand Valley State extended their halftime lead to 31-27 in the first minute of the second half, but the GSU defensive pressure responded. The Lady Pioneers would outscore the Lakers 22-12 in the third period, and carried a 49-41 lead into the final stanza. Then, Glenville's offense hit high gear down the stretch, spearheaded by back-to-back 3-pointers from Taychaun Hubbard and Kaylee Pierce. In the fourth quarter, GSU was very efficient, hitting seven-of-eleven from the field, including three-of-four from behind the arc. The Pioneers also connected on 11-of-13 free throws in the final frame.
 
All-American Re'Shawna Stone led the Lady Pioneers with 19 points and four assists. Zakiyah Winfield followed with 16 points, while Abby Stoller scored 15 points, and pulled down six rebounds. Dazha Congleton produced a double-double, scoring 10 points and grabbing a game-high 11 rebounds. Glenville would hit seven 3-pointers, six of which came in the second half. Stone and Stoller each hit a pair of bombs on the evening. 
 
Glenville's energized defensive effort registered 12 steals, with freshman Skylar Davidson leading the way with four thefts. The Lady Pioneers would hold the Lakers to just 22-of-58 from the floor (37.9%), including only 1-of-13 from beyond the arc. 
 
Despite facing a large height disadvantage, Glenville battled the Lakers throughout the night on the boards, with Grand Valley holding a slim 41-38 edge in team rebounding. Ellie Droste led Grand Valley with 14 points, with leading scorer Emily Spitzley adding 13.
 
Glenville State outscored the Lakers 50-24 during its dominant second half performance. Glenville's 77 points scored was the largest point total against Grand Valley State this season. GVSU came in as the nation's top defensive team. 
 
"At halftime we were telling the team to remain confident and to elevate each other's confidence," Stephens said. "To be honest, I was happy we were as close as we were at halftime with all the shots we missed. Once we started making plays in the second half, everyone fed off that energy."
 
Grand Valley closed another outstanding season under head coach Mike Williams, finishing with a 31-3 overall record. Glenville advances to the title game with a 34-1 record. The 34 wins mark the top win total in GSU program history, eclipsing the 33-3 mark of the great 2007 Elite Eight team.
 
GSU will now appear in the National Championship game on Friday night in Birmingham. The Pioneers will play the winner of tonight's second semifinal between No. 1 North Georgia and No. 5 Western Washington. Friday's tip is slated for 8:00 p.m. EST.