In a game that saw 10 lead changes and 9 ties, the GCC Samsons ultimately fell 57-51 to the Timberwolves of North Central Michigan College on Saturday evening at the Lindquist Classic on the campus of GCC. 

The Timberwolves took an early 7-1 lead, but the Samsons stormed back to tie the game 7-7 after a 3-pointer from Sophomore Kylee Hewitt with 4:18 left in the first quarter.  The score stayed close, and the lead changed hands a few times throughout the rest of the quarter, but North Central managed to hold on to a two-point lead, 15-13 after the first quarter.  

Hewitt tied the game at 15 to start the second quarter as she scored on an easy putback.  On their next possession, North Central was fouled and made the shot and the free throw for three points the hard way, giving them a three-point lead.  Freshman Vanessa Weber split a pair of free throws and then fellow Freshman Annabelle Besonen scored on a putback of her own to knot the score at 18 with 6:27 left.  GCC Freshman Kate Borseth was then called for her second fouled and North Central split the pair from the charity stripe.  The score continued to go back and forth until halftime and the score was tied at 27 as the teams headed into intermission.  

The Timberwolves were the aggressor to start the third quarter as they opened the second half on an 8-0 run, and led 35-27 with 5:08 left in the quarter.  Hewitt finally got GCC rolling offensively and scored inside with 4:51 to go.  Freshman Kadence Beeksma found Weber inside, which brought the Samsons within 4 points, 35-31 with just over three minutes remaining.  North Central scored back-to-back baskets on their next possessions, but Sophomore Hanna Hoskin hit a 3-pointer near the end of the quarter to give the Timberwolves a 39-34 lead heading into the fourth quarter.  

North Central split a pair of free throws to begin the quarter increasing their lead to 6, but Hewitt scored inside and was fouled on the next possession for GCC.  She made the free throw with 8:55 left and got the Samsons within 3.  The Timberwolves scored inside on their next offensive play, but Beeksma drilled a 3-pointer for GCC with 7:51 and the Samsons were only down 2.  Hewitt was fouled on the next GCC play and she nailed both free throws to tie the score again at 42 with 7:12 left.  Both teams traded baskets and it was again tied at 44 with 6:40 remaining.  North Central then went on a  critical 11-4 run and led 55-48 with 17.9 seconds to go.  Hewitt drilled a 3-pointer with 8.5 seconds left, bringing GCC within 4 and keeping it a two-possession game, 55-51.  GCC was forced to foul in the final seconds and the Timberwolves escaped with a 57-51 victory. 

Hewitt led all scorers with 22 points and Weber added 9 points and 8 rebounds for the Samsons.  Sadie McGuire led North Central with 14 points and 8 rebounds.  

The Samsons travel to Minnesota West Community College for their next contest on Saturday, December 2nd.