Grand Rapids, Mich. -- In a back and forth game on Wednesday night, the Raiders men's basketball prevailed over visiting Kalamazoo Valley Community College, 81-76, to earn a berth in this year's District Tournament. The Raiders (15-14, 8-10) will enter post season play as the 6 seed in the tournament while the Cougars (16-14, 7-11) will be the 7th and final seed. 

The Raiders trailed by as many as 15 in the first half, but a late 10-0 run sparked the home team and they only trailed 41-35 at the break.  There was eight lead changes in the game, but the Raiders would lead for good after freshman Jaylen Williams (Houston, TX) connected on a free throw with 3:22 remaining, giving his team a 66-65 lead.  The Cougars trailed by just two with 44 seconds left, but Williams hit two more clutch free throws with 29 seconds left.  The Raiders wound up a season best 28 of 35 (80%) from the line, with Williams going 9 of 10. 

Johnny Davis (Detroit, MI) sparked the Raiders off the bench with his seventh double-double of the season (16 points-10 rebounds) and even added 3 steals. Davis finishes the regular season as the team's leading scorer with 314 points, averaging 13.1/game.

Williams scored a game high 17 points while adding 6 rebounds and 3 assists.  Herman Brown (Detroit, MI) finished the game with 12 points and 8 rebounds while Chandler Collins (Hudsonville, MI) chipped in 9 points and 5 rebounds.  Richard Major had a season high 8 rebounds for the Raiders who out rebounded the Cougars 46-37.  The Raiders also had 16 second chance points while holding the Cougars to just 4.

Milestones hit for three Raider freshmen.  Ryel Daye (Kentwood, MI) scored his 100th point of the season, giving him an even 100.  Peyton Vis (Byron Center, MI) scored his 200th point, giving him 201, and Williams scored his 300th point of the season, giving him 307.  In a well balanced offense, ten different Raiders have scored at least 100 points so far this season.

For the fourth straight year, the Raiders will open up the Region XII-District Tournament against Mid Michigan College, with the only exception that this time it will be played in Mt. Pleasant instead of GRCC.  The Raiders beat the Lakers in all three meetings.  The game will be played at Morey Courts on Tuesday, March 3rd at 7:30 PM.  Mid Michigan's athletic website should have a live link to watch the game.  The winner of that game will advance to the Semi-Finals on Friday at 1:00 PM to take on the winner of Ancilla and Kalamazoo Valley. 

GRCC will be hosting the entire Great Lakes West and East District Semis/Finals for both the men and women.  Additional information about the tournament can be found on the Tournament Central page, including the entire schedule, live streaming links and live stat links. 

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