Box Score Box Score

Lansing, MI --  GRCC's men's basketball team was simply too much for Lansing's Stars Saturday.  Despite only having an eight point lead going into the second half, the Raiders won by an impressive 33 points with five players, Hesselink, Gates, Lyle, Carroll, Jr. and Jackson, scoring in double figures.

The win doesn't move the Raiders up in the MCCAA West standings as Lansing still has a one-game lead on the top spot, but it does improve GRCC's conference record to 6-2 and 11-7 overall.

Micah Gates earned another double-double on the year with 18 points, 18 rebounds but also contributed 7 assists and a block to fuel the Raider's scoring frenzy.  Jimmy Carroll, Jr. scored 10 points and delivered 6 assists.  Arik Hesselink went 5-for-9 with one three for 12 points, and Roy Jackson came through big for the Raiders going 6-for-8 and 3-of-3 from the line for 16 points.  Leading the Raiders in scoring once again was Alex Lyle who left the court with 29 points.

The Raiders shot 75% to the Stars 35% while snagging 8 more rebounds and giving up 5 fewer turnovers.  The Raider's bench out scored the Stars 35-14 which gave them a tremendous advantage. 

An unsung hero for the Raiders this season, Jason VanderBand, has kept GRCC in a position to win.  Although taking charges, committing key fouls and posting up their opponent's big men isn't a glamorous job, he has done such tasks for the good of the team.

In recent years the Raiders have struggled to win on the road against Lansing.  The Raiders walked into an arena where few but them imagined leaving with a win.  They left the building with a stunned crowd, a no longer undefeated team, and the momentum to keep winning against all odds.

The Raiders look to continue winning when they host Lake Michigan College at Hunsburger Arena in the Gerald R. Ford Fieldhouse Wednesday, February 1st at 7:30 following the women's game at 5:30.  GRCC's women's team record is 8-9 overall and 3-5 in the MCCAA West.after losing to Lansing 52-60.