Grand Rapids, MI – The Tigers won their first game of the year tonight with a 77-73 overtime victory over Crossroads College (Rochester, MN).  The Tigers, 1-2 on the season were led by Zach Schutte’s 16 points.  Nick Mascorro added 13 and BJ VanLoo 10 for GBC.  Greg Salmon led Grace with 11 rebounds.  Mascorro also had a team high 4 assists.

The Tigers will advance to the championship game today of the Tiger Holiday Charity Tournament and will face Ohio Christian University.  OCU defeated Kuyper College 97-95 in overtime.  The championship game is at 3:00 pm and the consolation game between Kuyper College and Crossroads College at 1:00 pm.

“We still have a long way to go,” said Grace Coach Gary Bailey.  “We do a lot of very good things but then we come right back and make some really bad shot selections or bad decisions.  The coaches talk often about this being a work in progress and that is exactly what it is.  Our experience is about 30 minutes a game out of 200 minutes from last year.  That means that of the 200 minutes that five players can play, 170 of those are with new personnel.  I am happy that we are getting better but I would like to see us advance a little faster.”

The Tigers out-rebounded Crossroads by a 46-35 margin.  Grace shot 43% for the game and Crossroads shot 46%.