The GCC Samsons started 2025 off with a win.  The Samsons defeated the Norse from Minnesota-North Mesabi Range on Wednesday, January 8th, in Virginia, MN.  It was a nice team win for GCC as eight of the nine players who entered the game scored and three players scored in double digits. 

There was a lid on the rim early on for both teams as they shook off some rust from the holiday break.  The first quarter was slow offensively for both teams, but GCC went ahead 8-5 after the opening quarter.  

The Samsons found more offense in the second quarter but continued their solid defense of the Norse.  Led by an impressive first half on the boards from Sophomore Melissa DiGiorgio, GCC only allowed the Norse to score four points in the second quarter.  Five different Samsons scored in the quarter, and they went into halftime up 25-9.  

GCC switched up its defense in the second half and went into a little half-court trap that sparked steals and buckets for the Samsons.  The good defense really seemed to create even better offense for GCC as they had their best quarter offensively, scoring 25 points in the third quarter.  Freshman RaeLynn Robinson used her quickness to grab some steals in the trapping defense. She turned some of those steals into buckets for herself but also found her teammates for some nice buckets inside.  Multiple Samsons scored again in this quarter as GCC extended the lead to 50-23. 

Although the Norse started to find more offense in the second half, the Samsons were cruising offensively and came away with the 67-36 victory.  

Robinson had her best game of the season so far as she led GCC with 14 points.  She also had 7 rebounds and 3 steals.  DiGiorgio nearly had a triple double as she finished with 12 points, 15 rebounds (10 of which were in the first half) and 7 steals.  Freshman Brooke Stanislawski chipped in 12 points off the bench, and Freshman Sydney Saari also scored 12 points for the Samsons.