Box Score Port Huron, MI. -- Back-to-Back, GRCC men's basketball team (24-8) earned its second consecutive berth in the NJCAA Divisoin II National Tournament by defeating #1 seed Ancilla College on Saturday, March 10th, 85-72. The Raiders topped the Chargers in the District 9 Championship game for the second straight year behind the strong performances of
Curtis Davison, 29 points and six rebounds,
Zachary Pangborn 22 points, seven rebounds and two assists, and
Anthony McIntosh 21 points, six rebounds, five assists and two blocks. But it was the incredible defensive effort by the Raiders that secured the Championship as GRCC held Ancilla to 72 points, 18 points off of their season average (90.4 ppg).
Ancilla led for a good portion of the first half and led 36-35 at the half. The lead changed hands several times early in the second half, but when Pangborn hit a jumper to make the score 64-62 with 7:09 left in the game, Ancilla would never lead again. GRCC outscored the Chargers 50 to 35 in the second stanza, holding Ancilla to 33% shooting from the field and only 11% from three point range. GRCC's suffocating defense held the Chargers to 3 of 27 shooting from behind the arc while the Raiders knocked down 11 of 30 (37%), seven of which came in the second half as the Raiders pulled away from the Chargers.
Ancilla (29-3) was led by Tyler Chisom with 16 points and four rebounds, while Teyon Scanlan had 15 points, six rebounds and two blocks. D.K. Fox added 11 points and eight rebounds, while Erick Shepherd (FR/Indianapolis, IN) came off the bench to score 11 points and grab eight rebounds.
Curtis Davison, Anthony McIntosh, Tyler Chisom and Teyon Scanlan along with Sergio Diaz of Muskegon Community College were named to the All-Tournament Team. Zach Pangborn was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player after averaging 26.6 ppg over the three game tournament. For the second consecutive year, head coach Luke Bronkema was named District 9 Coach of the Year.
GRCC advances to the NJCAA Division II Men's Basketball Nationals hosted by Danville Area Community College in Danville, IL on March 20-24. The Raiders will find out who they play in the Sweet 16 during the NJCAA Division II selection show on Tuesday, March 14th. The list of 2018 NJCAA Division II District Champions can be viewed by clicking here
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Click here for The Collegiate's article on the Championship game.
