The GCC Women’s Basketball Team edged the Norse of Minnesota North College-Mesabi Range on Wednesday evening and kept their record unblemished at 9-0.  Despite a low shooting percentage throughout the contest, the Samson’s 16-point fourth quarter propelled them to a 52-45 victory.   

The game started off slowly as both teams had trouble initiating their offense.  The teams traded buckets early on and with 2:45 to go in the quarter, Mesabi’s Kataja Young picked up her second foul and Kylee Hewitt split the pair from the charity stripe.  This put GCC up by two with a score of 10-8.  Mesabi scored inside on the next pass to tie it at 10.  Jasmine Redhouse got to the line with 21.6 second left and her two free throws gave GCC a 12-10 lead after one quarter. 

Although early in the second quarter it seemed like there was a lid on the basket for GCC, the Samsons kept the game close.  Mesabi’s Deetra Davis drew a foul on Hewitt with just over five minutes to go in the quarter.  This was Hewitt’s second personal foul, and she was forced to the bench for the remainder of the half.  Davis split the pair and tied the game at 15.  After a put-back basket inside from Emily Nelson and a quick 3-pointer from Redhouse, GCC seemed to grab the momentum, but the Norse had an answer.  They scored quickly inside then nailed a 3-pointer at the buzzer to tie the game at 22 going into halftime. 

Both teams continued to try and find their offensive rhythm as the second half got underway.  The Samsons finally found that rhythm at the end of the third quarter as Nelson scored 6 consecutive points for the Samsons, which gave GCC a 36-32 lead heading into the final quarter.  GCC continued to slowly pull away from the Norse and after Hanna Hoskin hit a 3-pointer with just over 3 minutes to go, GCC had its largest lead of game, going up 9 points on the Norse.  Mesabi tried to cut into the Samsons lead, but GCC was able to come away with a 52-45 victory.

GCC was led by Hewitt and Nelson who both had double-doubles for the Samsons.  Kylee Hewitt finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds, Emily Nelson had 14 points and 10 rebounds and Hanna Hoskin chipped in with 13 points.  The Samsons hit the road to participate in the Bay College Holiday Classic in Escanaba on the 16^th and 17^th.  GCC will face Western Technical College on Friday afternoon and Oakland Community College on Saturday morning.