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Feb. 22, 2025, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College's basketball and baseball teams hit the road on Saturday, with the women's basketball team pulling out a narrow victory, the men's team falling to a top-ranked opponent, and the baseball team dropping both of its season-opening games.

Women's Basketball: GRCC Hangs On for One-Point Victory

The Raiders women's basketball team (10-11, 8-5) secured a thrilling 58-57 victory over Kalamazoo Valley Community College (14-13, 6-7). The Raiders led by as many as 10 points with 6:17 remaining but had to withstand a late push from the Cougars.

Trailing 37-31 in the third quarter, GRCC went on an 11-1 run to take a 42-38 lead into the fourth. KVCC cut the deficit to one point with 17 seconds left, and after GRCC missed two free throws with 10 seconds remaining, the Cougars had a final shot to win. However, KVCC's last-second attempt missed, allowing GRCC to run out the clock.

Despite being outshot and outrebounded, the Raiders capitalized on KVCC's mistakes, forcing 24 turnovers while only committing 12.

Leading the charge for GRCC were Tianna Daye and Tia Richard, both scoring 16 points, with Richard adding a game-high three steals. Ava Schultz contributed 11 points and a team-high eight rebounds.

The Raiders have now won five of their last six games and will play their final regular-season game on Tuesday at home on Sophomore Day.

Men's Basketball: High-Scoring Battle Ends in Defeat

The Raiders men's basketball team (18-10, 5-8) put up a fight but fell 118-108 to #7-ranked KVCC (26-1, 13-0), which had already clinched the conference title.

Despite the loss, GRCC secured a postseason berth with one regular-season game remaining. The Raiders hit a season-high 15 three-pointers but couldn't match KVCC's offensive firepower.

Six Raiders scored in double figures:

• Marshaun Flakes: 22 points, 5 rebounds
• Tyran Thomas: 18 points, 8 rebounds
• Jack Agema: 18 points, career-high 6 three-pointers, 4 assists
• Bashir Neely: 16 points
• Zeekeal Jackson: 16 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists
• Gaden Muxlow: 15 points, 4 rebounds, career-high 5 three-pointers

GRCC will wrap up its regular season on Tuesday at home, celebrating Sophomore Day.

Baseball: Raiders Drop Season Openers at Chipola

The Raiders baseball team opened its season with two losses against Chipola College, an NJCAA Division I school, falling 13-3 in six innings in Game 1 and 5-4 in Game 2.

In Game 1, sophomore pitcher Andrew Pohlman took the loss despite a strong outing, allowing just one earned run over five innings while striking out three. Chipola only outhit GRCC 8-7, but the Raiders couldn't capitalize. Xavier Allen hit a double, and Cannon Paul had two hits. GRCC only struck out three times.

In Game 2, GRCC held a 4-1 lead going into the bottom of the seventh, but Chipola staged a late rally, scoring four runs to walk off with the win.

Sophomore Canyen Veldhouse took the loss, allowing five hits and four earned runs while striking out five over six innings. Peter Heintz recorded two hits, and Joey Hysell launched his first home run of the season.

GRCC continues play Sunday with another doubleheader against Chipola College.

Basketball Playoff Picture

Women's Team: If GRCC beats Lansing and Southwestern Michigan College loses to Lake Michigan College, the Raiders will be the #3 seed and host Southwestern in the opening round. If Southwestern wins, GRCC will travel there instead.

Men's Team: GRCC will be the #5 seed and will play on the road against the #2 seed, which could be Ancilla College, Lansing Community College, or Glen Oaks Community 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.