Jan. 22, 2022, TEXAS TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College's women's basketball team earned its third victory in a row after a dominating performance at Kalamazoo Valley Community College, winning 79-59 on Saturday.
For the second straight game the Raiders never trailed, while putting up their highest point total of the season. Their previous high was 69 points, scored against Mott Community College and Aquinas College JV.
GRCC's Sally Merrill led four Raiders who scored in double figures on the afternoon, posting her fourth double-double of the season with a 20-point, 15-rebound performance.
Karissa Ferry stayed consistent on the glass, grabbing 13 boards, including a team-best six on the offensive end. Ferry has had 10 or more rebounds in four straight games.
Freshmen Grace Lodes and Alysia Wesley put up nearly identical statlines with 12 points, three rebounds, a block and steal. Marlene Bussler added 10 points, 6 rebounds and a game-high six assists.
"Happy with the victory today," said Coach David Glazier. "Thought we did a really good job sharing the basketball and attacking with our strengths. We also walk away knowing there are some things we can work on in order to be ready for Lake Michigan on Monday."
The win improved the Raiders to 8-7 overall and 4-1 in the conference. The Cougars fell to 2-9 overall and 2-4 in conference play.
In the men's game, the conference-leading Kalamazoo Valley proved to be too much for the visitors, leading by as many as 28 points and cruising to the team’s 14th victory of the season, 95-83. The loss drops GRCC to 7-10 and 2-4 in the conference.
"When you play a road game against a tough opponent, you have to do all the little things well," Coach Joe Fox said . "I thought we pressed a bit early, made a few mental mistakes, and it cost us. We will have to be mentally ready for a tough opponent Monday on the road at Lake Michigan."
KVCC's bench outscored the team’s starters, 51-44, while the GRCC bench managed just 13 total points.
After coming off a 34-point, 19-rebound performance against Muskegon, Ryel Daye led the Raiders again, this time scoring 19 points and grabbing 13 rebounds.
Starting in his first game this season, freshman forward Nyuon Dhial picked up a career-high 14 points to go with seven points and two blocks.
Both teams will be back on the road Jan. 24 in a doubleheader at Lake Michigan College. The women's game will tip-off at 5:30 p.m.