The Grand Rapids Community College men’s basketball team defeated Mid-Michigan College in a 98-87 win on March 3. The Raiders overcame a regular-season series loss (0-2) against the Lakers to advance to the NJCAA District tournament semi-finals.
Multiple Raiders came up big for the Raiders’ win – sophomore forward Johnny Davis (14 points, nine rebounds), freshman guard Darien Banks (22 points, 50% field goal, four rebounds), freshman forward Herman Brown (22 points, nine rebounds, 60% three-point), freshman forward Chandler Collins (10 points, 10 rebounds), and freshman guard Peyton Vis (14 points).
With a three-point lead for the Lakers at the end of the first half, the Raiders came out with urgency. Cutting down on turnovers (12 total), crashing the boards (50 rebounds total), and outscoring the Lakers 58-44 (49.2% field goal overall, 36% three-point) led to the Raiders’ win.
Banks, Collins, and Davis commented on what the team needs to do moving forward into the tournament.
“It will take playing together as a team,” said Banks. “Just like we did tonight against Mid-Michigan. We lost to them twice this season and proved we can come together as a team.”
Collins added, “The same character we had against Mid-Michigan…we have to have that as we continue through the season.”
Davis praised his teammates for playing well.
“First, I would like to shout out my teammates,” said Davis. “They played hard like they wanted to win. We just have to keep that same mindset and play our hearts out. It’s March Madness and we know anybody can win. We are the underdogs right now and I like that – we are all hungry to win.”
The Raiders are facing a tough Muskegon Community College team – who they lost the regular-season series against (0-2). The Jayhawks finished the regular season in first for the Western Conference with a record of 24-4 (18-0 conference), which allowed them to automatically be placed into the semi-finals with a bye. The game will be played on March 6 at 1 p.m. in the Ford Fieldhouse.
Admission for the public is $8 (free for any child nine/under) and free for any individual with a GRCC student I.D. Those who can’t attend may live stream the event via GRCC Sports Network.
