Jan. 3, 2025, MUSKEGON & PORT HURON, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Community College basketball teams closed out Saturday with losses on both the women's and men's sides, as the women fell on the final day of the Skippers New Year's Classic and the men dropped a road contest against one of its rivals, Muskegon Community College.

Women's Basketball

The GRCC women's basketball team was defeated 70–63 by host St. Clair County Community College on Saturday in the second and final day of the Skippers New Year's Classic in Port Huron.

The loss followed a 48–41 defeat to Macomb Community College on Friday and dropped the Raiders to 10–5 on the season, while SC4 improved to 9–6.

St. Clair jumped out to a 7–0 lead early and never trailed. GRCC battled back to tie the game at 13 in the second quarter but was unable to take its first lead of the contest. Despite forcing turnovers and creating extra possessions, the Raiders were hurt on the glass, getting outrebounded by 13.

For the second straight day, GRCC finished with more steals (14–7) and fewer turnovers (14–25), but the rebounding margin proved decisive.

Ka'Shari Babb led the Raiders off the bench with a career high 12 points on 4-of-7 shooting, and 4-of-5 from the free-throw line, and also paced the team with three assists. Sophia Wozniak added 10 points, while Emma Picarazzi, Averi Peot, and Avery DePagter shared team-high honors with five rebounds apiece.

GRCC will look to bounce back when it travels to Alpena Community College on January 6.

Men's Basketball

The GRCC men's basketball team fell 92–78 on the road at Muskegon Community College, dropping the Raiders to 9–4 on the season.

The game featured 12 lead changes, with GRCC holding its final advantage at 70–68 with 8:24 remaining. Muskegon responded with a decisive 10–0 run and did not relinquish control the rest of the way.

Turnovers proved to be the biggest difference. GRCC committed a season-high 26 turnovers, which led to 29 Muskegon points. By contrast, the Raiders forced just seven turnovers, resulting in only two points. The turnover margin also contributed to a major disparity in shot attempts, as Muskegon attempted 90 field goals compared to 65 for GRCC.

Despite the loss, GRCC outrebounded Muskegon 54–42 and shot better overall from the field (45% to 39%). However, the Raiders struggled from beyond the arc, shooting 22% (4-of-18), their second-worst three-point performance of the season.

Tyran Thomas led GRCC with 19 points on 6-of-9 shooting, added 5-of-7 from the free-throw line, and pulled down a team-high nine rebounds. Zeekeal Jackson finished with 14 points and four assists, while Nate Keil chipped in 14 points and six rebounds. Matt Richards, playing in his first game since December 2021, added an efficient 10 points on a perfect 3-of-3 from the field and 4-of-5 at the line.

The men will also return to action on January 6, traveling to Alpena following the women's contest.

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