The Grand Rapids Community College women’s basketball team opened the 2021-22 season with an overtime battle versus St. Clair Community College where the Skippers were able to pull away in overtime, 68-59.
Even with the loss, head coach David Glazier was happy with the overall performance and thought it showed the potential of the team.
“I am really excited about what I saw today,” Glazier said. “We were developing a little slower than I had anticipated, or wanted, as we got ready for this first game, but what I saw from these kids today, I’m excited of what we can become.”
Glazier thought the Raiders needed to work on teamwork as well as sticking to what is working for them. The Raiders were unsuccessful in the final minutes of the game – only scoring two total points in overtime compared to the Skippers’ 11.
“We need to continue to be consistent at playing as a unit,” Glazier said. “We got down the stretch there (in) that overtime period, we went away from the things that were helping us be successful in that game.”
Freshman Grace Lodes led the team in her Raider debut with a double-double, scoring 20 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, five blocks and one steal.
It was a close battle at the end of the first quarter with the Raiders taking a one-point lead at the end of the quarter, 11-10. In the second quarter, the Raiders were able to extend their lead to 31-26 to finish the first half with a lead.
The Raiders had an impressive third quarter as they outscored the Skippers 17-12 to give them a 10-point lead, 48-38, going into the fourth quarter. The Skippers were able to come back in the fourth as they outscored the Raiders 19-9 to tie it up and send the game to overtime. In overtime, the Skippers ran away with the win, 68-59, holding the Raiders to only two points.
The Raiders saw contributions from freshman Sally Merrill (16 points, eight rebounds and three blocks) and freshman Marlene Bussler (11 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals).
The Raiders will face off against two top-10 teams in the nation as they compete in the Illinois Central College Classic, facing No. 4 ranked Illinois Central College on Friday, Nov. 12 at 7:30 p.m. and No. 6 ranked Parkland College on Saturday, Nov. 13 at 12 p.m.
