GOCC men can't complete comeback at Grand Rapids

In a MCCAA Western Conference tilt at Grand Rapids Community College Saturday, the host Raiders fended off Glen Oaks for a 95-91 men's basketball victory. 

Trailing by as many as 15 points with under nine minute to play, the Vikings went on a 7-0 run to tighten things up. And by the 3:16 mark after another Joreim Lomax 3-pointer, the Vikings were within reach down 85-82. A field goal by Kelvion Brown cut the deficit to a point with 1:52 remaining but GRCC answered with a triple and enough free throws down the stretch to close out the win. 

Glen Oaks struggled from the stripe, shooting just 52.8 percent (19 for 36) for the game, en route to its fourth consecutive loss. The Vikings led by as many as nine points around the midway point of the first half before the Raiders went on to outscore them 39-23 to close out the half with a 47-40 lead. 

GOCC sophomore Akin Smith led all scorers with 21 points to go with seven rebounds. Lomax had 20 points off the bench, Brown recorded 17 and reserve Keri Foster ended the game with 14. 

Glen Oaks slipped to 8-10 overall and 0-4 in the MCCAA Western Conference. The team travels to Marian University's Ancilla College Monday for a makeup game against the Chargers.