The Grand Rapids Community College men’s basketball team fell short to Mid-Michigan College in an 81-80 loss on Feb. 5.
The Raiders’ biggest fault of the night was their inability to prevent the three-point shots by the Lakers. Mid-Michigan shot 16 for 37 on 43% from behind the arc. The Lakers knocked down three straight three’s to begin the game, which was an early indicator of how the game would go on.
Even with limitless threes, lack of communication between each other for screen switches, and countless second chance attempts for the Lakers, the Raiders kept themselves in the game throughout the first half. The Lakers went into halftime with a 39-33 lead. Freshman guard Peyton Vis (11) was the team’s leading scorer of the night with 22 points, five rebounds, and three steals. Vis noted the team has to focus on moving forward from this tough loss.
“We just need to keep playing hard, practice hard, and continue doing what we do,” Vis said. “…Have to let this one go and continue fighting.”
In what seemed like missed calls on the Raiders end and the same fouls being called for the Lakers, frustration became an obstruction for the Raiders’ offense. This allowed Mid-Michigan to take off in the second half – scoring four straight three-pointers and a huge offensive slam that brought the Lakers to a 53-45 lead. The unstoppable offense by the Lakers began to chip away at the Raiders’ confidence as they found themselves in a 22-point deficit.
Sophomore guard Camren Spicer (0) finished in the top three for scoring, concluding the game with 11 points, six rebounds, and five assists. Spicer commented on what it takes to continue fighting with tough officiating and not finding answers to stop teams from scoring.
“At the end of the day that’s just basketball,” Spicer said. “Teams are going to go on runs, you just have to find a way to come back together as a team.”
Spicer also said, “As far as the game goes, you never know what you’re going to get (referees), so if you aren’t getting the calls you want, you have to make the best of it.”
With Raider fans exiting the gym early in what seemed like a blow-out win for the Lakers, the Raiders slowly willed themselves back into the game. With 2:10 left on the game clock, the Raiders found themselves trailing 81-74. Coming out of a Lakers’ timeout, the Raiders forced three turnovers in a row, with steals by Vis, freshman forward Chandler Collins (32), and Spicer.
With just over 9.1 seconds left in regulation, the Lakers found themselves at the free-throw line and a one-point lead. Mid-Michigan blew both free-throws, the ball was rebounded by the Raiders who had zero timeouts left, but unfortunately couldn’t find an open look to win the game during the madness.
The Raiders’ record now sits at 13-9, 9-2 at home. Their next home game will be against Jackson College on Feb. 7 at 7:30 p.m. The Raiders lost their previous season match against Jackson 63-60. This game will follow the women’s game that begins at 5:30 p.m. Admission for the game is $3 for the public and free for any individual with a GRCC student I.D.
