Feb. 18, 2023, ALPENA, Mich. –Danyel Bibbs hit a game-winning shot with one second remaining to help the Grand Rapids Community College men’s basketball team complete a season sweep over Alpena Community College on Saturday.
GRCC's men's team defeated the Lumberjacks 81-79, and the women's basketball team upended the home team, 72-39.
Davarion Mitchell, who finished with a game-high 32 points, put Alpena up 77-75 with 41 seconds to go. Chris Coleman tied it back up with 27.1 seconds to go.
But after an unexpected Raider foul on the inbound, Alpena's Ianson Simpson went to the line to put his team back up two points.
On the ensuing GRCC possession, Bashir Neely missed a layup, but Coleman was there to tip in the rebound with 21 seconds left, tying the game up for the ninth time.
Alpena's Gavin Dukaji missed a three-point shot with eight seconds remaining but Brockton Kohler snagged the rebound and quickly passed it to Bibbs, who raced down the court for the game-winning layup.
"What a fun way to get a road win," head coach Joe Fox said. "It was an absolute battle back and forth, and while we didn’t execute as well as we would’ve liked, we did play with effort all night long. Three games in four days is tough, but I thought our depth really helped us today. Our sophomores really helped carry us through today, especially Bibbs on that last bucket. Jordan Houser really helped turn the game with his energy defensively as well."
Bibbs led six GRCC players who finished in double figures with 21 points and six rebounds. Isaac Warning had the lone double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
After the Raiders third win in four days, the team improved to 18-7 overall and stayed in third place in the league with a 6-5 record.
GRCC's women's team scored the first 20 points of its game and never looked back, claiming a dominating 72-39 victory.
The win kept the Raiders in second place in the league with an 8-3 record. They are also 14-7 overall, winners of six of their last seven.
"Thought our effort and focus was great from the opening tip," head coach David Glazier said. "Felt our kids once again showed real professionalism in how they handled a second straight weekend of being out of town a night before our game."
Sally Merrill, the reigning national and conference player of the week, led all scorers with 20 points.
Marlene Bussler added 17 points and four assists and Grace Lodes finished with 14 points and nine rebounds.
Both teams return home on Feb. 22 to take on Delta College. The women tip off at 5:30 p.m.
This story was reported by Ben Brown.