The Grand Rapids Community College women’s basketball team has improved to 7-5 in conference play after their most recent win over Glen Oaks Community College, the win was the squad’s fourth out of their last five. The Raiders opened the game outscoring Glen Oaks 22-3 in the first quarter and never looked back, growing their lead to as much as 29 as GRCC cruised to a 56-40 win.
For the Raiders, the opening frame could not have gone much better than it did, outscoring the Vikings 22-3 in the first quarter. The Raiders were able to open the game on a 7-0 run before Glen Oaks scored their first two points. But from that point on, sophomores Tia Richard and Ava Schultz, along with freshman Tianna Daye were all able to score at least five points, with Richards scoring seven, Schultz scoring six, and Daye scoring five in the first quarter. The Raiders shot an efficient 8-13 from the field as well as a phenomenal 4-5 from 3-point land to capture their 19-point first-quarter lead, their second largest of the season.
The Raider defense held strong in the first quarter, holding the Vikings to just 1-10 from the field, including 0-5 from 3-point range. The Raiders also scored seven points by forcing six Viking turnovers..
The game slowed down for the Raiders in the second quarter, scoring just 12 points, but their defense held strong, holding Glen Oaks to just seven points on 2-17 shooting, limiting the Vikings to just 10 points at halftime, tied for their second fewest amount of points in a half allowed all season. GRCC’s lead was extended to 24 at halftime, going up 34-10 as the buzzer sounded.
The third quarter had a similar feel as the third quarter, with the Raiders outscoring Glen Oaks 12-8 in the frame, having both teams struggle offensively once again with neither team shooting higher than 22% from the field. The Raiders shot 3-14 overall from the field for 21.4%, but struggled mightily from beyond the arc, shooting 0-8 from 3-point range. However, the Raiders were careful with the basketball in the third quarter, turning it over just one time in comparison to the Vikings’ five third-quarter turnovers. GRCC also shot 6-8 from the free throw line, scoring half of their points in the quarter from there. GRCC managed to grow their lead to as much as 29 in the quarter after a 3-pointer by Schultz made the score 45-16.
GRCC was unable to repeat their first-quarter magic for the remainder of the game, scoring just 10 points in the fourth quarter on 4-14 shooting while going 0-4 from 3-point land. Glen Oaks had far and away their best quarter of the game, scoring 22 points on 9-16 shooting, four of those made shots being 3-pointers. However, the deficit that the Raiders created was too much for Glen Oaks to overcome, only trimming the lead down to 13 points with under four minutes to go. The 19-point first-quarter lead the Raiders created for themselves was all the team needed to secure their seventh conference victory of the season against Glen Oaks.
Richard led the way in scoring for the Raiders, posting 20 points as well as five rebounds and six steals on the defensive side of the ball. Schultz scored 13 and grabbed four rebounds for the Raiders, while Daye scored 11 and sank all four of her free throws. Freshman Averi Peot had a strong defensive showing off the bench, grabbing four steals and blocking two shots while chipping in five points for GRCC.
Head Coach David Glazier could not be reached for comment.
After the game against Glen Oaks, it marked the Raiders’ fourth win out of their last five, which has paid off for the team who have now clinched a postseason berth for the 10th consecutive season. The tournament schedule has not been yet set as the season is still ongoing, but the Region XII – Great Lakes A Tournament takes place between Tuesday, March 4 and Sunday, March 9 in Flint. The Raiders will look to carry their current form into a long playoff run.
Up next for the Raiders is Kalamazoo Valley Community College on Saturday, Feb. 22 at 1 p.m. in Kalamazoo. The team squared off back on Jan. 29, where the Raiders were victorious, winning a close game, 73-66. A win will be important for the Raiders, as the team still has a chance to move up in the conference standings to try and secure a home playoff game.
