By Kevin Lopez
Three wins in a row for GRCC as the Raiders come back home to the Ford Fieldhouse and handedly defeat North Central Michigan College 91-23 on Saturday, Feb 4. Their opponents are winless in conference play and hold a record of 3-15.
GRCC’s head coach David Glazier was happy with the team’s chemistry.
“We supported each other, played for each other, and communicated with each other,”Glazier said. “That’s what I’m proud of.”
In the first quarter, the Raiders immediately jumped on an undersized and seemingly unprepared opponent and started off the game with a 10-0 start. It was perfect for sophomore forward Grace Lodes as she completely dominated in the first quarter with 10 points, while the team was able to score efficiently, shooting 62% from the field and forcing five turnovers as they led 22-4.
It was the same story as the Raiders moved into the second quarter with the same dominating mindset. GRCC continued to shoot efficiently (50%) from the field, while again forcing six turnovers on the defensive end. Throughout the quarter, the Timberwolves struggled to get good shots off as they barely beat the shot clock, and sometimes received a shot-clock violations.
Lodes continued her play as she would put the ball in the basket in a variety of ways. Whether it was post ups, pick and roll, and drawing fouls, it seemed that there was nothing North Central Michigan College could do as the Raiders took the lead going into the half 41-11.
Allison Kellogg, a sophomore forward, finished the game with 17 points exited the beginning of the second quarter with an apparent foot injury, but continued to play the rest of the game.
“I’m good to go for the next game, my foot twisted on someone’s foot and my nail came off,” Kellogg said. “It was just a fun game to play. It was fun all around and seeing everyone score was just fun, too.”
It would not get better for the Raiders’ opponent in the third quarter as they only scored one basket and two free throws and again seemed completely outmatched on both ends of the floor.
The Timberwolves coughed up the ball seven times to the Raiders, while the Raiders shot 48% from the field and moved the ball very well, racking up eight assists in the quarter to continue the dominance 68-15.
The fourth quarter was more of the same as again the Raiders continued their active hands to create four turnovers in the quarter and the offense continued to produce as the Raiders scored 21 points in the quarter with a field goal percentage of 60%. The nail in the coffin was a dazzling crossover play by freshman guard Avery Jirous that put the game away as the Raiders won the game 91-23.
Lodes finished with a ferocious double-double as she led the team with 29 points and 11 rebounds.
“I feel very proud of myself and my team, as well,” Lodes said. “I feel on top of the world. The mindset we have for the next game is the same mindset for this one – can’t expect to win and expect a fight from the other team. This game set us up well for the next game.”
With this win, the Raiders have now won three straight and have a record of 11-6 and a conference record of 5-2, along with a home record of 6-1.
The Raiders continue their home stretch as they look to make it four straight as they play Mid Michigan College at 5:30 p.m on Wednesday, Feb 8 at the Ford Fieldhouse.
