Despite a valiant comeback attempt, the GCC Samsons (14-5) fell to the Raiders of Central Lakes College 58-48 in Brainerd, MN on Friday, 2/3.  

The full court press and the tough half-court defense from the Raiders immediately gave GCC issues as the Samsons turned the ball over in their first three possessions.  CLC used their defense as a catalyst to get their offense running and they ran out to a quick 8-2 lead, but GCC's Kylee Hewitt responded with a 3-pointer on the next Samson possession.   Although the Raiders scored a quick transition basket on their next possession, the Samsons fired back and scored 5 straight points. Emily Nelson hit a tough pull up jumper and Hanna Hoskin drilled a 3-pointer on a nifty pass from Hewitt, and GCC was able to tie the score at 10 as the first quarter came to an end.  

GCC's Nicole DiGiorgio scored in the lane to start the second quarter and CLC immediately matched that with a bucket inside from Samantha Quigley.  Hewitt hit another 3-pointer for GCC, giving the Samsons a 3-point lead (15-12) that would turn out to be their largest lead of the game.  Turnovers continued to plague the Samsons as they would only score two more points in the quarter, while Raiders went on an 18-0 run.  Nelson scored for GCC as the quarter ran out and the Samsons trailed 30-17 at the half.  Committing 14 first half turnovers made it difficult for the Samsons to get any rhythm or flow going offensively.  

The Raiders started the third quarter just as they had finished the first half.  CLC continued forcing GCC turnovers and getting high percentage shots, and the Raiders extended their lead to 26, as they led 47-21 with 4:21 left in the quarter.  The Samsons regained their composure on both sides of the ball and GCC went on a 12-0 run to end the quarter, only trailing the Raiders by 14, 47-33. 

Both teams traded buckets inside as the fourth quarter began.  After CLC scored inside, they were up by 17 points (52-35), but the Samsons had another run in them.  GCC then went on a 9-0 run behind another 3-pointer from Hoskin, a bucket inside from Nelson, two free throws from Hewitt and two free throws from Jasmine Redhouse as the Samsons only trailed by 8 (52-44) with 4:15 to go.  After more GCC turnovers, the Samsons wouldn't get closer than 8.  GCC was forced to start fouling and the Raiders came away with a victory, 58-48. 

Quigley led the Raiders with 20 points.  GCC was led by Nelson who had 17 points and Hewitt who scored 16 for the Samsons.  

GCC heads to Milwaukee, WI on Wednesday, February 8th to take on Bryant & Stratton College.