Nov. 13, 2021 - EAST PEORIA, Ill. - The Grand Rapids Community College women's basketball team played some of the nation's best teams in the annual Illinois Central College Tournament, but fell short twice, losing Saturday 78-55 to Parkland College.

The team struggled against Illinois Central on Friday, falling 84-48.

Illinois Central, ranked No.4 in the NJCAA Division II poll, jumped out to a 21-5 lead after the first quarter and never looked back. GRCC trimmed the 27-point halftime deficit to 18 late in the third quarter, but was unable to get closer.

Marlene Bussler, of Battle Creek, was lone Raider in double figures with 12 points, and adding a team-best six assists. Grace Lodes, a West Catholic grad, chipped in nine points as a total of 11 players scored for the Raiders.

In Saturday's match-up against the Parkland College, ranked No. 6, GRCC battled hard the first half, even having a 25-24 lead with four minutes in the second quarter, but Parkland proved too tough in the second half, out scoring GRCC by 24 points the rest of the way.

Allison Kellogg, of Jenison, was the lone Raider in double figures against the Parkland, with 10 points and five rebounds. Ten players scored in all for the Raiders with 24 points coming from the bench including seven from Audrey Harnish, of Kentwood and six from Karissa Ferry, of Chesaning. 

Though obviously disappointed to lose both games, head coach David Glazier thinks his women have a much better understanding of what it takes to be competitive with the top teams in the country after having just played two of them. "I'm optimistic that as we continue forward our attention to detail will improve each day." 

The Raiders return home on Nov. 15 as they take on Aquinas College JV. 

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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, such as the Hofmann scholarship. 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.edu. Any support is appreciated and goes towards assisting our student-athlete scholarship funds.