Muskegon Community College Lady Jayhawks take down rival Grand Rapids CC, 70-60

By Ron Rop
LocalSportsJournal.com

MUSKEGON – It’s always a good night when you can beat your nearest rival on the basketball court.

Photo/Joe Washington

On Wednesday night, the Muskegon Community College Lady Jayhawks did just that by defeating Grand Rapids Community College, 70-60, at Bartels-Rode Gymnasium.

The outcome completed a two-game sweep of the season series with the Raiders and kept the Jayhawks in the place in the North Division of the MCCAA.

“It’s a rival for us and we’re glad to come out ahead,” said Lady Jayhawk coach Jason Cooper, whose team is now 13-10, 7-3 in the conference. “Both teams are battling injuries and we pulled it out in the end, so I am proud of my girls.”

Grand Rapids came out strong in the opening minutes and grabbed a 10-3 lead, but that’s when the Lady Jayhawks responded with a run that lasted the remainder of the first quarter. After the opening 10 minutes, MCC led 17-15.

The teams battled back and forth through much of the second quarter and the teams left the floor at halftime deadlocked at 32-all. The Lady Jayhawks did use a 7-1 run to take a 24-16 lead, but the Raiders scored eight of the last 10 points of the quarter to knot the score.

In the second half, Remi Sponseller and Ty’veonna Davis provided a spark with seven points each in the quarter. That surge helped push MCC into a 53-45 lead heading into the final quarter.

Another run of 9-2 increased the advantage to double digits and the Raiders never got closer than eight points the rest of the way.

It was a balanced attack that carried the Lady Jayhawks. Five players reached double figures, including Davis with 16, Maiya Hill with 14, Arrionna Williams with 12, McKena Wilson with 11 and Sponseller with 10. Hill added 10 rebounds and three steals.

It’s been a trying season for Cooper and his coaching staff. The team has been plagued by injuries. It’s been a season-long issue.

“It’s making these freshmen stronger,” Cooper said. “They continue to compete and it’s next woman up for us.”

The Lady Jayhawks travel to Bay Community College, the top team in the conference, on Saturday.

Take a look at more photos shot by Joe Washington.