Women’s basketball fans on edge of seats

The thrilling showdown of Delta vs. Grand Rapids

By: Norman Corrion

UNIVERSITY CENTER, MI – The Women’s basketball game on Feb. 21 had huge momentum swings. Grand Rapids was up 8 points in the third quarter but Delta was able to come back and win by 10 points.

The game started off with Delta’s Hailee Jefferson getting the jump ball to Amari’A Campbell. Possession of the ball would change with both teams missing three pointers and a turnover by Delta. The first 2 points were put on the board by Kaylie VanDerHulst of Grand Rapids, but Jefferson quickly put up 2 points to tie the game.

Six minutes in, Campbell was able to steal the ball and score 2 points, putting Delta ahead 13 to 5. Delta created a good lead with a score of 15-8 when Grand Rapids called the first timeout. 

After the timeout, with three minutes left in the quarter, Grand Rapids started building momentum. Starting their comeback was Tia Richard making a 3-pointer. The first quarter ended with Delta leading 19-13.

Grand Rapids would continue their comeback in the second quarter. Around two and a half minutes in the quarter Ava Schultz would make 2 points to push them ahead of Delta, 24-23. The fans of both teams grew louder with each basket as the teams fought for the lead.

Both teams continued to play a great game in the second quarter, with the score neck-and-neck. The second quarter would end with VanDerHulst making 2 points for Grand Rapids, with Grand Rapids leading 38-34.

Around six minutes into the third quarter, VanDerHulst would make a free throw putting Grand Rapids ahead 48-40. The last four minutes of the third quarter belonged to Delta, though, with Carah McCrum scoring 5 points and several of McCrum’s teammates making shots. The third quarter would end with Delta ahead 56-55.

The fourth quarter started with the lead changing back to Grand Rapids as Cylie Burns made 2 points. Delta’s Campbell would put Delta back in the lead with a 2-point jump shot less than a minute later. 

Delta fans erupted around the eight-minute mark as Ja’leeah Griggs was able to steal the ball and dribbled it down court to make a layup. Moments later, Griggs would again steal the ball and take it across court for another layup, placing Delta 63-57. Delta would ride this momentum the rest of the game, winning 78-68.

“It felt good for me and for the team to get us ahead more points,” Griggs said about getting two key, back-to-back layups.

McCrum led Delta in points with 23, rebounds with 11 and assists with 6. Schultz led Grand Rapids in points with 22 and rebounds with 15, while Avery Jirous led Grand Rapids in assists with 5.

Delta is undefeated at home games for the month of February, and this win brings their overall record to 6-12. Delta has two more home games and one away, and fans will not want to miss seeing them defend home court.