The Three Rivers College Lady Raiders basketball team continues to stay hot with their eighth win in a row to open the season, coming away with a 63-58 victory at home Saturday afternoon against the Vincennes Lady Trailblazers.
“Luckily we made plays down the stretch,” said Three Rivers head coach Alex Wiggs. “We got stops whenever we needed to get the win. We’ve got to realize that we’re going to get everybody’s best.”
The first basket of the game came from Trailblazer sophomore guard Zion Hayes giving her team an early 2-0 lead. Freshman Lady Raider Amelia Corasaniti immediately tied the game after with free throws.
However, both teams continued to make shots with the Trailblazers making the final shot of the quarter from 3-point range by Iris Comesana-Varela as they lead 18-14 after one quarter.
The Lady Raiders offense got right back in the game in the second quarter when sophomore Caitlin Lord and freshman Samyah Jordan made back-to-back 3-point shots as the Lady Raiders took back the lead, 20-18.
The Trailblazers continued to fight back retaking the lead once again, until Lord made another 3-pointer, followed later by back-to-back 3’s from freshman Londyn Harper and Lord as the Lady Raiders led 29-26.
The final shot of the second quarter came from Trailblazers guard Netala Dixon connecting from 3-point range as the Trailblazers led 32-31 at halftime.
“We’ve got to play harder,” Jordan said. “We’ve got to run our stuff, and go out there and play and do the things that we work on in practice. Once we got that under control, everything went smoothly after that.”
It didn’t take the Lady Raiders long to score in the third quarter when Corasaniti banked home a 3-point shot putting her team back in front. The trailblazers got their first shot of the quarter coming from Zixon, and shortly after, a 3-pointer from Comesana-Varela.
Sophomores Da’Naya Ross and Tristan Spearman made consecutive baskets for the Lady Raiders, forcing a timeout from Vincennes head coach Nyla Johnson. When play resumed, the Trailblazers went on a 9-0 run, before Jordan made the final shot of the quarter from mid-range to cut the Trailblazers lead to two points heading into the final quarter.
Jordan continued to make shots as she opened the fourth quarter with the first two baskets, which was followed by a 3-pointer from Lord.
“It was pretty big,” Jordan said. “I shot those shots because I knew my teammates believed in me, and I knew I could make it. When you have your teammates that believe in you, anything is possible.”
As the midway point of the quarter was approaching, the Trailblazers were able to tie the game at 51 when Hayes was sent to the free throw line, making both shots. However, following Hayes’ free throws, Corasaniti made another 3-pointer, along with a 3-point play by Londyn Harper, where Harper was followed on a layup, went to the line, and made the extra point.
The Lady Raiders ultimately hung on to get the victory. They will return to action Monday at home at 1 p.m. when John A. Logan College comes to town.
“They’re a much improved team,” Wiggs said of John A. Logan. “Very well coached team from last year. They’re young and athletic. They’re going to try to come in here and kick our butts. We’ve got to make sure we’re mentally prepared.”