Jan. 7, 2023, DOWAGIAC, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College men's basketball team’s hopes for a perfect season came to an end Saturday with a heartbreaking one-point loss at Southwestern Michigan College.
In the earlier game, GRCC's women's basketball team also lost by one point in a game that came down to a shot at the buzzer.
The men's basketball team, averaging nearly 100 points a game, managed a season-low 60 field goal attempts to score 67 points. But in a game that featured 13 lead changes, GRCC was able to get a good look at a potentially game-winning shot just before the buzzer expired.
"Disappointing result against a tough opponent," coach Joe Fox said. "It's good to go out and get tested on the road before conference play starts next Saturday. We have a lot of work ahead of us to get ready for a rematch with a very good Lansing team."
The loss snaps an 11-game win streak to begin the season, the best start GRCC has had since the 2000-2001 season.
Chris Coleman and JaJuan Walker led the Raiders with 12 points, with Bashir Neely scoring 11. Isaac Warning gave the GRCC a big boost on the glass with a team-high eight rebounds to go with his eight points.
Dave Glazier's women's basketball team fought back from an 11-point second half deficit to tie the game at 47 with under four minutes remaining.
Sophomore guard Marlene Bussler hit a shot with a minute left, making it a 53-52 game. After a great defensive stop on the other end, Grace Lodes had a chance for a game-winner, but the ball tipped the rim without sinking through the net.
Lodes was the only player on the court with a double-double with 14 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks.
Bussler and Sally Merrill contributed to score 10 each and Bussler added a game-high six assists.
Both teams will be back on the road on Jan. 11 to finish the non-conference portion of their schedules as they travel to Lansing Community College for the second time this season. Both teams defeated Lansing on Nov. 10.