By Ron Rop
Local Sports Journal

GRAND RAPIDS – It was a game that got away from the Western Michigan Christian Warriors on Friday night at Kelloggsville.

Leading 47-43 early in the fourth quarter, the Warriors turned the ball over, had to foul and watched as the Kelloggsville Rockets made 15-of-18 free throws to ice the game and post a 70-57 victory.

“We had a couple turnovers and you just can’t do that against good teams,” WMC coach Kyle Mastenbrook said. “They shot the ball better than we expected.”

That included Alston Ferrell, a senior forward, who scored 17 of his 19 points in the first half. He managed two points in the third quarter before fouling out in the fourth.

Ferrell wasn’t alone in the offensive category. Tony Burnett added 18 points, 10 in the fourth quarter, Dionte Williams came off the bench and scored 13 and Cody Williams had 12.

It was Ferrell who lit it up in the early going and carried the Rockets to a 17-13 lead after one period and 35-23 at the half.

But in the third quarter, sparked by Jacob Ray, Henry DeKam and James Jackson, the Warriors came to life. A 19-6 scoring advantage actually gave WMC a 42-41 lead with one quarter left to play.

Early in the fourth, WMC extended the lead to four points, but then things getting away. Dionte Williams and Burnett each hit a three and the parade to the free-throw line began. For the game, the Rockets made 20-of-24 from the line.

Junior post player Bernard Smith led the Warriors with 20 points, including 13 in the first half. He also reached double digits in rebounds. DeKam finished with 14 points and Ray had nine.