The Grand Rapids Community College men’s basketball team looked to get back-to-back wins in conference play as sophomore guard Darell Belcher dropped 20 points while leading the Raiders to a 82-79 win on Wednesday, Jan. 31.
GRCC head coach Joe Fox is adamant that Belcher is a crucial player to the team.
“Darrell takes the game very seriously and is a process-oriented player,” Fox stated via text. “This time of year you need to be able to rely on your sophomores and Darrell is a great example of why. He works on his game and is always ready to go.”
GRCC had a slow first two minutes as turnovers and missed shots allowed the Pioneers to jump out to a 4-0 lead. Belcher scored or assisted on the Raiders’ first 10 points as GRCC jumped back into the lead.
However, the Pioneers went on a 12-2 run midway through the half which gave the Raiders a six point deficit. Freshman guard Logan Dunbar provided a spark off the bench as he nailed a 3-pointer while making a few other shots. GRCC was unable to gain a lead back but their defensive pressure allowed them to stay within striking distance.
Fox said he was proud of Dunbar for having a breakout game.
“I was glad to see Logan have a breakout during the game,” Fox stated via text. “His shooting ability spaces the floor for us and he also plays with relentless drive.”
The Raiders headed into halftime down 37-34 but were able to improve free-throw shooting and 3-point shooting in order to secure a GRCC win. They shot 3-17 (17.6%) from the three while shooting 1-4 (25%) at the free-throw line.
In the second half, GRCC started two for four (50%) from the free-throw line but managed to stay in the game. Their defensive intensity led to a few turnovers and missed shots for the Pioneers.
Sophomore guard Tristan McRoberts started to heat up in the second half alongside Belcher, which allowed the Raiders to swoop into the lead. Their lead was not long lasting, as the Pioneers jumped to a four-point lead while the Raiders struggled from the field.
Throughout the second half, the Pioneers maintained their lead but GRCC remained close behind as their deficit never went past four points. A Dunbar 3-pointer put the Raiders up 60-57 with seven minutes left.
DC regained a lead with five minutes left and looked to finish the game with a victory but a Belcher made shot gave the Raiders a lead again.
In the final three minutes, the Raiders and Pioneers traded baskets as seven points were scored in a total of one minute. A bucket from the Pioneers tied the game at 73 with 1:21 remaining which led to a huge bucket from Tristan McRoberts. This resulted in a technical foul on the Pioneers which gave GRCC three free throws.
Tristan McRoberts made two of three free throws which gave the Raiders a 77-73 lead. The Pioneers’ next possession resulted in a missed 3-point shot, which allowed Dunbar to make a two-point shot which gave the Raiders a two-possession lead. McRoberts continued his clutch gene at the free-throw line as he nailed a pair of free throws to ice the game. GRCC earned the victory against Delta College, winning by a score of 82-79.
Fox pointed out that his team wanted it more in the final minutes and were able to finish the job.
“The team executed well in the final five minutes of the game,” Fox stated via text. “They were locked in defensively and rebounded like they wanted to win the game.”
Belcher finished with a game-high 20 points along with seven rebounds, three assists and two steals. Dunbar ended the game with one of his best performances at GRCC, scoring 16 points while shooting 6 for 8 (75%) and 4 for 6 (66.7%) from three. McRoberts added eight points, five rebounds, two steals and two blocks.
GRCC shot much better from downtown in the second half which allowed them to take care of the Pioneers. They shot 3 for 8 (37.5%) from three while also having 15 bench points in the second half.
With the victory, GRCC inches closer to a .500 percentage record as they are 10-11 on the season while having a 2-4 record in conference play. On Saturday, Feb. 3, the Raiders travel to Petoskey to face North Central Michigan College at 3 p.m.
