Feb. 8, 2025, BENTON HARBOR, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College basketball teams traveled to Lake Michigan College on Saturday, with the women's team claiming a dominant 72-53 victory while the men's team fought back from a large deficit before falling 94-89 in overtime.

Women's Game: GRCC 72, Kellogg 53

The Raiders (7-10, 5-4) picked up a crucial conference win, using a strong all-around performance to take down the Red Hawks (2-17, 0-9). The opening quarter featured a back-and-forth battle, with four ties and seven lead changes. Ava Schultz helped GRCC take control with a free throw in the final 10 seconds of the period, giving the Raiders a 16-15 lead they wouldn't relinquish.

From there, GRCC took over, building a lead as large as 24 points. Schultz had another career night, notching her sixth double-double in the last eight games with 24 points and a career-high 17 rebounds. She also knocked down a personal-best six three-pointers.

Averi Peot also had a big game, recording her third career double-double with 11 points, 11 rebounds, and five steals. Olivia McKellar, fresh off a career-high performance in the last game at Kellogg, continued her strong play with 13 points.  Tia Richard was one assist shy of her career high, finishing with 10. 

The Raiders dominated the rebounding battle, 51-33, and capitalized on LMC's mistakes, scoring 24 points off turnovers while allowing just two. Second-chance points were another major factor, as GRCC grabbed 22 offensive rebounds and converted them into 16 points, compared to just two for the Red Hawks.

Men's Game: LMC 94, GRCC 89 (OT)

The Raiders men's team (17-7, 4-5) nearly pulled off an incredible comeback after trailing Lake Michigan College (7-12, 1-8) by as many as 20 points, but ultimately fell in a heartbreaking overtime loss.

The Raiders struggled to find their shot early, making just 28.9% of their field goals and an ice-cold 12% from three-point range in the first half. That slow start put them in a 47-29 hole at halftime.

LMC extended its lead to 56-36 with 15:54 remaining, but GRCC responded with an 11-0 run over the next three minutes to cut the deficit to single digits.

With the game on the line, Gaden Muxlow's third three-pointer of the night tied it at 79 with 1:52 left. LMC regained the lead with a layup, but J.D. DeGroot came up with a crucial steal, leading to a Marshaun Flakes-to-Tyran Thomas monster dunk to knot the game at 81 with 54 seconds left. The Red Hawks had a chance to win in regulation but missed two free throws with just one second remaining, sending the game to overtime.

In the extra period, GRCC had opportunities but couldn't connect from deep. Down 92-89, the Raiders missed two three-pointers in the final 13 seconds that could have forced a second overtime.

Flakes led GRCC with 24 points, eight rebounds, and two steals, while Zeekeal Jackson recorded his second career double-double with 17 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, and three steals. Muxlow contributed 13 points and five rebounds, while Javon Golson added 10 points and eight boards.

One of the biggest struggles for GRCC was its three-point shooting, as the team finished with a season-worst 16% from beyond the arc, hitting just 5-of-31 attempts.

Looking Ahead

Both teams will return home on Feb. 12, to face Southwestern Michigan College. The women's game tips off at 5:30 p.m., followed by the men's game at 7:30 p.m.  This will be Hunger Games night. For every can good brought it, fans will save $1 on their admission. 

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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.