The Pioneers from Northland Community & Technical College defeated the GCC Samsons 95-56 on Saturday, January 18th, in Ironwood, MI.
The NCTC Pioneers scored immediately after winning the opening tip-off and they continued that initial energy on both sides of the ball, quickly going ahead 12-0 on the Samsons. GCC Sophomore Lilly Johnson finally got the Samsons on the board when she split a pair from the charity stripe and then fellow Sophomore Melissa DiGiorgio scored inside on a put-back. Although the Pioneers jumped ahead 12-0 early and outscored GCC 28-15 in the quarter, the GCC was only outscored 16-15 after that initial NCTC run. Once the Samsons settled down offensively and found some flow on both sides of the ball, things started roll.
The Samsons started the second quarter very strong. Freshman Brooke Stanislawski scored two-2 pt field goals and Johnson split another pair from the line and drilled a 3-pointer as the second quarter started and GCC cut the Pioneer lead down to five points for the first of two times in the quarter. GCC had a few fouls add up midway through the quarter, but DiGiorgio stepped up again and drilled her own 3-pointer with 5:05 remaining to again cut the NCTC lead to five points and the Samsons trailed 31-26. The Pioneers responded with their steady, consistent offense. Freshman RaeLynn Robinson picked up her 3rd personal foul for the Samsons with 2:26 remaining and NCTC went on a run to end the quarter. The Pioneers went up 49-34 at the half.
GCC came out with great energy to start the second quarter and went on a nice run to cut into the NCTC lead, but the Pioneers came out with the energy and focus in the second half, outscoring GCC 46-22 to take home the 95-56 victory.
DiGiorgio paced GCC with 13 points and 8 rebounds. Sophomore Kate Borseth chipped in 11 points and fellow Sophomore Annabelle Besonen had 9 points.
