Lee Gardner III made big plays to boost the Glen Oaks Community College men’s basketball team to a 60-59 victory Saturday at Lake Michigan.
The Kalamazoo product scored 30 points as the Vikings improved to 17-2 overall and 8-0 in the Michigan Community College Athletic Association Western Division.
But it was Jason Starks’ block on a Lake Michigan layup attempt that preserved the win.
Gardner produced 12 points over the last 10 minutes of the game. Angelos Grffis added 12 points and Aundreyan Roberts finished with eight for the Vikings, which held a 38-28 lead at halftime.
Glen Oaks takes on Jackson at home Monday at 5:30.
Women
Despite playing what Glen Oaks women’s assistant coach described as “their best team ball this season”, Lake Michigan pulled out a 56-55 win on a buzzer-beater.
With three seconds left, De’Ottia Robinson made a 3-pointer to put the Vikings up 55-53. Lake Michigan, which leads the Western Conference with a 9-0 mark and is ranked No. 11 nationally in Division II, answered with a baseball pass down the floor with 1.8 seconds left and a quick jumper for the victory.
Glen Oaks fell to 11-7 overall and 3-5 in the division.
Alaina Schwarz paced the Vikings with 21 points and nine rebounds. Courtney Moore finished with 13 points and nine boards and Anika Gasich posted 13 points.
Glen Oaks hosts a makeup game vs. Jackson College on Monday at 5:30 p.m.