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Grand Rapids, Mich. -- Both the men and women's teams are off to good starts to begin the 2021 shortened season with 2-1 records.  After splitting the first two doubleheaders of the season vs. Muskegon and Ancilla, both team's were victorious Friday night at home against Mid Michigan College.

It was a defensive battle in both games against the Lakers of Mid Michigan with the women opening the night 56-50 victors. In a game in which the Raider bench outscored their starters, Shonyah Hawkins would lead the way with 15 points.  Trayana Starr-Thurman chipped in with a season high 13 off the bench while Olivia Koetje was the only starter to reach double figures, scoring 10 points while adding 10 rebounds.

Starr-Thurman buried her second three of the game with 7:40 left in the game to tie it up at 42 and a couple possessions later Hawkins would get a fast break steal and layup to give the Raiders the lead for good.  For Hawkins it was her third straight game with 15+ points.  The sophomore from Grand Rapids is the teams leading scorer averaging 19.3 per contest.

The Raiders out scored the Lakers in the paint 28-2 while the Lakers out shot the home team 9 of 24 from long range to 3 of 13. The Raiders also out rebounded the Lakers 43-35 and had 11 less turnovers, 28-17. 

The men's team also would pull out a gritty victory over the Lakers, in a game that would come down to the final possession.  The visiting team clawed back from a 12 point deficit with 3:25 left in the game, to trail by just one with 18 seconds left.  On the ensuing play, former Mid Michigan Laker ('16-'17 MCCAA Western Conference Freshman of the Year) Malik Clincy would get fouled and connect on both free throw attempts.  The Lakers then missed a potential overtime sending three as time expired giving the Raiders a 59-56 victory.

Clincy would lead the Raiders with 16 points while chipping in 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals in just 23 minutes of action. Teammates Chandler Collins (10 points-4 assists) and Dasani Darnell (12 points-5 rebounds) were the only other two Raiders in double figures for scoring, but sophomore guard Isaac Anderson racked up a game high 15 rebounds including 6 on the offensive end.

Second chance points and points in the paint proved to big factor for the Raiders victory.  Twenty offensive rebounds contributed to 21 second chance points for the Raiders, compared to just 5 for the Lakers.  They also dominated the paint area, 44-26.

Both teams will be on the road in the upcoming week.  Wednesday they will travel to Flint, Michigan to take on the Bears of Mott Community College in a non-conference matchup.  Friday they get back into conference play with a road trip to Glen Oaks Community College. Both games will be streamed live.  LIVE STREAM FOR MOTT

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