In a game featuring two short-handed women's basketball teams, the GCC Samsons prevailed over the Voyageurs of Minnesota North College-Rainy River on Saturday, January 14th in Ironwood, MI. GCC had six available players whereas Rainy River only had 5 available players on their roster. Despite the diminished rosters, the 51-47 GCC victory featured 5 ties, 10 lead changes and neither team led by more than 7 points.
The Voyageurs came out firing as they quickly built a 7-point lead on the Samsons, leading 11-4 with just over four minutes to play in the first quarter. GCC fired back with a run of their own and tied the game at 11 a few minutes later. The teams traded buckets once more and the score was tied at 13 as the quarter ended.
The Samsons went on a 13-3 run that started at the end of the first quarter and into the second as they took a 17-14 lead after two free throws from Emily Nelson with 7:38 to go before halftime. Rainy River responded immediately to the GCC run as they scored on their next three offensive possessions while their stingy defense stopped the Samsons from doing the same. The Voyageurs held a 23-18 lead with just over six minutes left in the quarter, but that lead was quickly diminished as the Samsons came back and tied the game at 23 after a 3-pointer from Hanna Hoskin and a put back by Kylee Hewitt. The score stayed tight to finish the quarter and GCC lead 30-29 at the half.
The Samsons seemed to take control early in the third quarter as GCC pulled ahead by three with 6:54 left. Although this seemed like the moment the Samsons were going to pull away from the Voyageurs as their fouls accumulated, Rainy River charged ahead using their quickness and gritty defense. They outscored GCC 12-10 in the third quarter and lead 41-40 as the third quarter expired.
To start the final quarter, Nelson made a nifty pass inside to Hewitt for an easy shot in the paint. Nelson scored her own bucket on the next GCC possession and the Samsons led 44-41 early in the final quarter. Unfortunately for the Voyageurs, with 7:10 left to play, forward Saniya Wright committed her fifth personal foul, and Rainy River was forced to finish the game with four players. Although Rainy River was short-handed with four players, they continued to fight hard until the final buzzer, losing only by four points. The Voyageurs played tough defense and were able to force 24 Samson turnovers.
Kylee Hewitt led GCC with 18 points and 8 rebounds. Ida Bengtsson chipped in 14 points and Emily Nelson had 9 points, 16 rebounds, 5 blocks and 4 assists. Cara Polk led Rainy River with 17 points.
The (12-1) GCC Women's Basketball team heads to Sheboygan, WI on Monday, 1/16 to face Lakeland University's JV Team.
