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Grand Rapids, Mich. -- Johnny Davis and Darien Banks combined for 54 points in the Raiders 92-88 victory on Monday night against the Kellogg Community College Bruins. The win improved the Raiders to 11-8 overall (4-4 in conference) while the Bruins fell to 6-13 (3-5).
Chandler Collins (Hudsonville, MI) scored the opening basket of the game, but the Raiders wouldn't regain the lead until nine minutes later when a Banks layup made it a 23-22 ball game. GRCC went on a 21-6 run and found themselves up 51-39 at the break.
The Raiders would extend their lead to 21, 70-49, after another
Darien Banks (Southfield, MI) layup with 12:57 left in the game, but the Bruins weren't going down without a fight. Two free throws by Davis (he was 11 for 14 for the game) made it a 19 point game with 8:15 on the clock, but back came the Bruins.
Kellogg took advantage of 14 Raider turnovers while connecting on five 3-pointers, and all of a sudden it was just a one point game, 89-88 with 30 seconds to go.
Banks floater with 21 seconds was off the mark, but Collins came up with a huge rebound and was quickly fouled. Collins then hit two of the biggest free throws in his young career, making it 91-88. On the ensuing Bruins possession, Ron Jamierson missed a three pointer and the Raiders
Herman Brown (Detroit, MI) secured the rebound. He proceeded to make 1 of 2 from the line to seal the victory for the Raiders.
Davis (Detroit, MI) had a career night for the Raiders and proved unstoppable in the paint. He scored a career high 29 points on 9 of 13 from the field, and added 7 rebounds in 27 minutes of action. The sophomore, who played at Gillette College last season, leads the team in scoring (13.3/game) and field goal percentage (.538). Since entering the starting lineup four games ago, he is averaging 18.3 points and 8.3 rebounds.
Banks was 9 of 18 from the floor, 2 of 4 from behind the arc, finishing with 25 points. He added 5 rebounds and 3 assists in a season high 35 minutes of action. The freshman guard has now scored in double figures in seven straight games, including a career high 31 last Monday against Glen Oaks. In his last four games he is averaging 23.3 points while shooting 56% from the field, 52% from 3 point range and 86% from the charity stripe. He ranks second on the team in scoring (12.1) and first in 3 point percentage (.415) and free throw percentage (.806).
The Raiders shot 53% overall from the field compared to 44% for the Bruins. They outrebounded Kellogg 49 to 30 and had 8 blocks to just 1 for Kellogg.
GRCC will be back in action Wednesday, January 29th at 7:30 pm at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. The Cougars are 13-6 (4-3) after losing a heart breaking two point decision to first place Muskegon on Monday.
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Interested in supporting GRCC Athletics? All donations can be done through GRCC Athletic's Scholarship Fund and can specify what scholarship fund the gift is going to. If you have any questions on how to support Athletics at Grand Rapids Community College, contact the Athletic Department via phone at (616) 234-3883 or email grccathletics@grcc.com. Any support is appreciated and goes towards assisting our student-athlete scholarship funds.
