Despite a slow start and a limited number of players available, the GCC Samsons came away with a road victory at Mesabi on Tuesday night in Virginia, MN.  Led by a great all-around performance from Emily Nelson, GCC improved to 7-0 to start their season. 

GCC's Ida Bengsston was unavailable due to an ankle injury she sustained in the Samsons last game and Kylee Hewitt only played three minutes and 44 seconds before being sidelined with a knee injury.  This left the Samsons with only 5 players for the most of the game.  

The Samsons took the early part of the first quarter to find their rhythm, but they had an obvious advantage inside that Nelson and her teammates exploited as the Samsons finished the first quarter up 14-10. 

GCC started the second quarter with a 10-0 run, bringing the score to 24-10. With 3:09 to go in the quarter, Jasmine Redhouse picked up her third personal foul and Hanna Hoskin committed her second personal foul on the next defensive possession.  Despite the late foul trouble, the Samsons went into the locker room up 26-13 at the half.  GCC really stepped up on the defensive end, using their size and length to frustrate the Norse.  GCC outscored Mesabi 12-3 in the quarter.

The Norse started the third quarter hot, hitting back-to-back triples.  Nelson got GCC on the board hitting two free throws after being fouled.  Redhouse scored inside for GCC on the next possession and then Phoenix Corbine grabbed a steal on the defensive end.  Nelson pushed the ball down the court and fed Corbine with a bullet pass for a layup.  This forced Mesabi to call a timeout with 7:41 left in the quarter.  GCC kept firing on all cylinders and with 3:27 to go in the quarter, they had their largest lead of the game and lead 41-19.  Mesabi kept hanging around and by the end of the quarter, GCC still lead by 17. 

Redhouse picked up her 4th personal foul late in the third quarter, then Nelson was called for her 4th foul with 7:05 to go in the final quarter.  The Norse took advantage as they knew GCC couldn't keep up it's aggressive defense.  The Samsons had built a large enough lead to keep Mesabi at bay and GCC came away with the 14 point win, 57-43.  

Nelson finished the game with 21 points, 19 rebounds, 5 steals, 4 assists and 3 blocks for the Samsons and Redhouse chipped in with 14 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals.

The Samsons hope to be at full strength for their next contest on the road against Fond du Lac Tribal & Community College on Wednesday, November 30th.