By Jack Walker
A tough matchup was presented for the Grand Rapids Community College men’s basketball team as the squad faced Bay College, who entered Saturday’s game with a 21-2 record. Bay College was lights out from beyond the arc on Saturday going 12 of 20 from the three-point line. GRCC put together a strong offensive performance in the second half, but fell short of the win, losing 97-82 .
Right from the get-go, Bay College showed why they were 21-2 entering the matchup, opening the game on a 13-0 run, while full court pressing and double teaming any GRCC player handling the ball. BC was physical and made any open shot given to them.
“We knew that was gonna happen, their whole team is great but their starters are so good and you can’t take it easy against them, that’s what happens when you do,” said head coach Joe Fox regarding the 13-0 start for Bay College.
GRCC was only outscored by five starting from the 13-0 run to the end of halftime, which still meant the Raiders found themselves down 18 at the end of the buzzer, with the score being 50-32. GRCC was able to start making shots and BC came back down to earth with their shooting. Considering the red hot start BC opened the game with, the Raiders were lucky to only be down 18.
In the first half, Bay College shot 18 of 30 (60%) from the field, 6 of10 from the three throw line and 8 of 11 from the free-throw line. One thing that kept Bay College from scoring more than 50 points was their turnovers, committing 13 of them. Keeping GRCC from getting completely blown out in the first half.
On the offensive side of the ball, GRCC shot 14 for 38 (36.8%) from the field, 4 for 11 (36.4%) from three and made zero free throws. The Raider’s inability to get to the free-throw line against BC was a key difference in the first half. That would need to change in order to give GRCC a chance of winning.
Bay College went right back to their old habits, knocking down four of the team’s first five 3-point shots, including a buzzer-beating shot from the center court logo. Eight minutes into the half, GRCC found themselves down 35 points, 75-40. But, the Raiders were able to spark the offense, hitting six consecutive shots to make the score 78-55.
GRCC and BC went back and forth exchanging buckets. GRCC outscored BC in the second half 50-47, but the hole they dug themselves was ultimately too much to handle as the Raiders would go on to lose 97-82.
Fox spoke after the game on whether or not he was happy with the team’s performance,
“I’m very disappointed,” Fox said. “We lost by 10 up there (in Escanaba), there’s no one in this league we don’t have the talent to hang with. I was very disappointed today.”
Sophomore guards Tristan McRoberts and Javonte Jones put together nice performances for the squad today, with McRoberts scoring 21 and Jones scoring 16. Freshman guard Jack Agema added 15 points on a perfect 6-6 from the field. The sophomores of the team will determine how the season ends for the Raiders.
After winning three straight games, GRCC has now lost two in a row. The Raiders won’t have to travel far as their next game is against Muskegon Community College. The last time GRCC went up against Muskegon, the team held a six-point first-half lead, but quickly lost it in the second half, losing the game 87-77.
Fox talked about what he liked from the team against Bay College and what they can do next game against Muskegon,
“I was impressed with how we took the ball into the paint and how we played engaged the entire time, we can’t take a breather against anybody,” Fox said.
With the loss against Bay College, GRCC moves to 11-13 on the season, and 3-6 in conference play. The game against MCC will be played in a Valentines Day showdown on Wednesday, Feb. 14 at 7:30 p.m. The Raiders have five regular season games remaining on the schedule and will look to get back on track before the season comes to a close.
