Mike Mokma and Cody Nisonger get ready to play defense

The Tigers improved their record to 3-2 on the year with a hard fought 66-63 victory over the JV team from Davenport University.   “This game was a total team effort,” said Coach Oldebekking, “every player played minutes in the game and 9 of the 11 players tallied in the score book.”  “ We really have been coming together as a team the last couple of weeks and are improving so much, we just need to keep taking positive steps forward and we are going to end up having a great year.”

The Panthers jumped out early in the first half and built a quick eight point lead on some hot shooting, but the Tigers settled into their defense and chipped away at the lead eventually taking a one point lead into the locker room at halftime.  “We talked at halftime about coming out strong in the second half, we work on being able to start quick after a break in practice, and it really paid off tonight.”  The Tigers led by as much as nine in the second half, before the Panthers cut it to one with 3 seconds to go. That is when Ryan Ehm checked in to make two big free throws to finish off the game. “We all call Ryan Ehm the closer because he never misses pressure free throws in practice, and today he did it in the game.”    “I give him a ton of credit he came in cold off the bench and hit two huge free throws to seal the game.”  

Grace was led in scoring by Cody Nisonger who put in 14 points, Brendon Coe chipped in with 11 points.  The Tigers got great all around games from Marquis Johnson and Mike Svoboda.  Marquis led the team with eight rebounds out of the guard spot and Mike held down the middle with five big blocks. 

The Tigers will be back in action on Thursday the 9th as they travel to Holland to take on the Flying Dutchman from Hope College.