Dec. 17, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Sally Merrill scored 17 points and grabbed a team-high 12 rebounds, but the Grand Rapids Community College women's basketball team fell to Lake Land College – the defending national champs, on Friday 84-50.

Lake Land, ranked No. 7 in the latest NJCCA Division II poll, jumped out to a 22-7 lead after the first quarter and would never look back, outscoring the Raiders in every quarter and improving its record to 9-4 on the season.

GRCC snapped a three-game win streak and fell to 4-6 to conclude non-conference play.

Lake Land coach David Johnson was presented with the game ball after he picked up his 500^th career. Johnson is in his 24th season at Lake Land, located in Mattoon, Ill.

The Lakers scored 25 points off 15 Raider turnovers, compared to six points on nine turnovers for the visitors.

The Lakers' Lexi Niebrugge, five of nine from long range, led all scorers with 19 points.  Lake Land totaled 14 three-pointers in all while shooting 48.3 percent. The Raiders were successful in 36.4 percent of their shots outside the arc.

Merrill, a freshman from Hamilton High School, added three assists and a steal in 37 minutes of action. Grace Lodes, of West Catholic High School, added 13 points, with three blocks and four rebounds.  Allison Kellogg, a freshman from Jenison, scored eight points and grabbed five rebounds.

GRCC won't be back in action until Jan. 3 when the team begins conference play against Mid Michigan College.    
 
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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.