The GCC Samsons lost a nail-biter, 65-63, to the Red Hawks of Lake Michigan College on Friday, December 29th, at Just A Game Fieldhouse in Wisconsin Dells, WI.
The Red Hawks jumped out to an early 7-0 lead, but Sophomore Hanna Hoskin got GCC on the board by drilling a 3-pointer with just over six minutes left in the opening quarter. Although Lake Michigan College led the entire quarter, GCC fought back as the quarter ended. Freshman Kadence Beeksma scored on a put back to end the quarter and the Samsons only trailed by two, 17-15.
Sophomore Kylee Hewitt drilled a jumper to start the quarter, which tied things up at 17. Hewitt scored inside on the next GCC possession, giving the Samsons their first lead of the game. The Red Hawks then went on a 9-0 run and led 26-19 with 4:50 remaining. The Samsons got hot from behind the arc, and behind two 3-pointers from Freshman Kate Borseth and one from fellow Freshman Annabelle Besonen, GCC went into halftime only down two points, 32-30.
Hewitt started the third quarter just like she started the second, scoring back-to-back buckets, and the Samsons grabbed back the lead, 34-32. Behind offense from Borseth and Hewitt, GCC extended their lead to six points with 2:10 remaining, as the Samsons were ahead 45-39. This was GCC's largest lead of the game. Lake Michigan College stormed back and answered with their own 6-0 run and the score was knotted up again at 45 heading into the final quarter.
The fourth quarter was an exciting one that saw 8 ties and 7 lead changes. After trading baskets for the early part of the quarter, Borseth drilled a 3-pointer with 3:28 to go, putting GCC up 59-56. The Red Hawks quickly answered with a 3-pointer of their own. Hewitt scored inside on the next GCC possession, but Lake Michigan College matched that basket, knotting things up again at 61 with less than two minutes remaining. After an empty possession for the Samsons, Hewitt picked up her fourth foul with 35.8 seconds left, sending the Red Hawks to the line. They split the pair and took the 62-61 lead. GCC had 27.8 seconds to score. Borseth weaved her way into the lane and scored for the Samsons with 16.6 seconds left. The Red Hawks called a timeout to advance the ball to half-court and to draw up a play to answer the bucket from GCC. On the ensuing Red Hawk possession, Borseth was called for her third foul, which sent them to the free throw line with 6.8 seconds left. Lake Michigan College hit both free throws, giving them the 64-63 lead. The Samsons also called a timeout to advance the ball and draw up a strategy. Unfortunately, GCC turned the ball over and the Samsons were forced to foul. Since the Red Hawks split the pair of free throws, GCC still had one more shot to win the game. Trailing 65-63 with 1.8 seconds to go, the Samsons 3-point attempt from the corner fell short and the Red Hawks came away with the victory.
Borseth and Hewitt led the Samsons with 23 points and 21 points, respectively. Hanna Hoskin chipped in 8 points for GCC.
