Nov. 13, 2021 - EAST PEORIA, Ill. - The Grand Rapids Community College women's basketball team played some of the nation's best teams in the annual Illinois Central College Tournament, but fell short twice, losing Saturday 78-55 to Parkland College.
The team struggled against Illinois Central on Friday, falling 84-48.
Illinois Central, ranked No.4 in the NJCAA Division II poll, jumped out to a 21-5 lead after the first quarter and never looked back. GRCC trimmed the 27-point halftime deficit to 18 late in the third quarter, but was unable to get closer.
Marlene Bussler, of Battle Creek, was lone Raider in double figures with 12 points, and adding a team-best six assists. Grace Lodes, a West Catholic grad, chipped in nine points as a total of 11 players scored for the Raiders.
In Saturday's match-up against the Parkland College, ranked No. 6, GRCC battled hard the first half, even having a 25-24 lead with four minutes in the second quarter, but the Parkland proved too tough in the second half, outscoring GRCC by 24 points the rest of the way.
Allison Kellogg, of Jenison, was the lone Raider in double figures against the Parkland, with 10 points and five rebounds. Ten players scored in all for the Raiders with 24 points coming from the bench including seven from Audrey Harnish, of Kentwood and six from Karissa Ferry, of Chesaning.