Jan. 4, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College's basketball teams opened up conference season play by sweeping Mid Michigan College on Monday, with Sally Merrill and Marlene Bussler leading the women's team and Brockton Kohler driving the offense for the men's team with a career-high 26 points.

The women's team, now 5-6 on the season, led wire-to-wire and picked up its first conference win in a 61-48 victory over the Lakers.

GRCC connected on four of its five total three-point baskets in the first quarter, jumping out to a 19-7 lead. Mid Michigan gained momentum in the third quarter, but GRCC responded to hold the visitors to just seven points in the final period to pick up the 13-point win.

Merrill, a freshman from Hamilton High School, and Bussler, a freshman from Harper Creek High School, each scored 16 points, including making all of the Raiders' three-point baskets. Merrill added 10 rebounds, giving her a double-double while Bussler fell just one board short of one.

Karissa Ferry, starting for the first time this season, scored eight points and grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds. The two-sport athlete from Chesaning also is a member of the volleyball team.

Grace Lodes, from West Catholic High School, added 14 points and six rebounds.

The men's game was closer, with six lead changes, including a few late in the game.

Mid Michigan stormed back from a 14-point second half deficit to take the lead with 1:15 remaining, 77-75. GRCC hit back-to-back baskets to give the team the lead with 41 seconds left. That was enough time for the Lakers to pull closer.

Mid Michigan's Noah Pruitt, who scored a team-high 24 points, tied the score at 79 on two free throws.

GRCC point guard Danyel Bibbs, playing in his first game of the year, scored on a layup to put the Raiders up with under 17 seconds left. Pruitt missed a jumper with under seven seconds left and Kohler would make four of his 10 free throws to secure the 85-82 victory.

Kohler, from Greenville, connected on all 10 of his free throws, and also made four three pointers.  He added six rebounds and three assists.

Bibbs, from Saginaw, finished with eight points, seven rebounds and six assists, while Andrew Moore, of Grand Rapids, added 17 points.

Sophomore Ryel Daye, from Kentwood, also playing in his first game of the season, had the lone double-double for the Raiders, scoring 15 rebounds and grabbing 11 boards.

The men are now 6-6 on the season.

Both teams will hit the road on Jan. 8 to take on Kellogg Community College and then visit Glen Oaks Community College on Jan. 10. 

For all the latest news, you can also follow the Raiders on:


  
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.