Hickory, NC – GRCC's women's basketball team struggled in the opening round of the NJCAA D2 National Tournament, losing 86-49 to the top-ranked team in the country.

The Raiders' season isn't over, as the team will play again at 1 p.m. on Friday, April 23 in the consolation round.

A bright spot: GRCC head coach David Glazier was named NJCAA Great Lakes District C Coach of the Year.

GRCC is making its first trip to the National Junior College Athletic Association National Tournament.  They did however finish 4th in the AIAW National Championship in 1974.

The 12-4 Raiders were seeded 13th and faced a tough opening round opponent. Johnson County Community College, from Overland Park, Kan., is 20-1 on the season and was seeded fourth in the tournament. Their only loss was in their District Championship.

GRCC hung close in the first and fourth quarters, but were dominated mid-game. The Johnson County defense smothered Player of the Year Shonyah Hawkins, limiting her to six points and two rebounds.

Eurasia Green-Boyd led the Raiders with 13 points and seven rebounds, and Danielle Lamancusa had 11 points and six boards. Jayla Bibbs had eight points and five rebounds.

GRCC is hoping to regroup in the next round, playing the winner of the game between Pima Community College and North Platte-Mid-Plains Community College on Friday.

You can catch the Raiders second game live at: www.njcaa.org/network

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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.