By Grace Howard
After an unexplained month-long team suspension, the Grand Rapids Community College women’s basketball team took on the Kirtland Community College Firebirds on their home court. Even though they had a month off the court they came back strong and ready to play, defeating the Firebirds 56-41.
At the beginning of the first quarter, the Firebirds got an automatic free throw due to an equipment foul on the Raider’s part. The Firebirds got the toss-up but quickly overturned it to the Raiders for GRCC to get their first 3-pointer of the night on their first play. By the end of the first quarter, GRCC had a dominant lead against KCC with a 22-6 lead. The Raiders shot 47.4% on the field while the Firebirds shot 12.5% on the field. GRCC had seven personal fouls in the first quarter but KCC only made two free throws. Freshman Averi Peot led the Raiders with six points in the first with redshirt freshman Tianna Daye right behind her with five points. Freshmen Mariah Ellis and Lucy Hall led KCC with two points each.
The second quarter was slower than the first with the Raiders adding six points and the Firebirds adding four points. The Raiders went from shooting 47.4% on the field to shooting 0.0% on the field missing 10 field goals from the court. The Firebirds led in fouls this quarter giving out eight personal fouls, with GRCC taking six of those to their advantage shooting 75% for free throws making it the only way they scored in the second quarter. Hall led KCC with four points at the end of the second quarter. By halftime, the Raiders were up eight points on the Firebirds with the score being 28-10.
After halftime, both teams improved from the previous quarter. The Raiders shot 31.3% from the field while the Firebirds shot 21.4%. GRCC went 3-of-3 in free throws shooting 100% from the line, the best they shot all night. The Raiders struggled to create significant momentum, managing to score mainly in the paint and off turnovers. The Firebirds made their first 3-pointer of the night in the third quarter, but their free-throw struggles continued, converting only 3-of-7. Despite being down 19-42, KCC relied on points off turnovers and second-chance opportunities to stay in the game.
The last quarter of the game was the Firebird’s best quarter yet, as they gained 21 points which is more than their previous three quarters combined. KCC delivered their best offensive performance of the game. They shot 47.1% from the field which was their highest field goal percentage of the game. GRCC shot only 15.8% from the field and failed to make any of their 10 three-point attempts this quarter. KCC had 10 personal fouls in the fourth giving up 17 shots but GRCC only made eight of those, shooting 47% from the line.
Despite having an amazing last quarter the Firebirds were not able to pull off a win against the Raiders with the final score being 56-41.
Head coach David Glazier was asked about their first game after a month of canceled games, “I’m proud of the effort, I thought we came out strong”.
GRCC administrators have yet to explain why the first month of the women’s season was canceled. After Wednesday’s game Glazier told The Collegiate that his players could not be interviewed. “We’re not gonna have the kids talking to anybody right now,” he said.
The Collegiate is waiting on the results of a Freedom of Information Act request for more details about the team suspension.
The Raiders play again on Dec. 7 when they head up to Petoskey to take on North Central Michigan College.
