March 8, 2009

Allendale, Mich. - The Grand Valley State men's and women's basketball teams have advanced to NCAA DII Midwest Regional action it was announced Sunday night by the NCAA selection committee. The Laker women (20-9) enter the tourney as the number eight seed and will play at defending National Champion Northern Kentucky, while the GVSU men (21-9) will also begin tourney action as the number eight seed at Findlay to face the top-ranked Oilers. The GVSU women will open tourney action Friday at time to be determined and the Laker men will begin NCAA action Saturday.

The Laker men are making their fourth straight NCAA DII Tournament appearance under fifth-year head coach Ric Wesley. GVSU, the two-time defending regional champions, are coming off its fourth straight appearance in the GLIAC Chapionship game.>

Second-year head coach Janel Burgess has led her young Laker squad back to the NCAA tournament after a one-year absence. GVSU advanced to the GLIAC Tournament semifinals at Michigan Tech.