DALLAS — The Raiders didn’t pick up a win in their preseason opener in Dallas over the weekend, but they won every second half.

In three games, Three Rivers trailed at halftime and either closed the gap or finished tied at the end of the game.

Three Rivers was down by six at halftime against Otero, and eventually lost 52-49.

Against Clarendon, the Raiders trailed 26-17 at half and at the end were tied at 37.

Against Lee, It was 42-23 at halftime. Three Rivers closed the gap by five points in the second half and lost 63-49.

A different Raider led in scoring in each contest.

Against Otero, Willie Lucas was 4 for 7 on 3-pointers to lead the team with 12 points. Lydell Geffrard added 10 points and also led the team with six rebounds.

In the tie game against Clarendon, Jay Hines scored 11 points as Three Rivers finished 13 for 51 shooting. Hines shot 50 percent on his six shots, the only Raider to shoot 50 percent, and went 4 for 4 on free throws.

Poplar Bluff alum Dominique Hardimon grabbed nine rebounds to lead the team, including five offensive rebounds, and had six points.

Against Lee, Brahm Harris led Three Rivers with 10 points and five rebounds. He was 2 for 2 on 3-points and 4 for 6 overall.

For the weekend, Three Rivers was plus-10 on turnovers but minus-five on steals.

For rebounds, which has been a trouble spot for the team the past two seasons, the Raiders were plus-26 overall and plus-18 on offensive rebounds. Against Clarendon, Three Rivers has 21 offensive rebounds to Clarendon’s 9, and 36 total rebounds to Clarendon’s 17. Even in Three Rivers’ biggest loss against Lee, the Raiders held Lee to two offensive rebounds and 17 total rebounds to finish plus-7 and plus-6, respectively.

Three Rivers next travels to Evangel University on Saturday where it will play Evangel at 10 a.m. and Colloege of the Ozarks at 1:30 p.m. The Raiders’ only home game of the preseason is against Evangel at 10 a.m., Oct. 19 at the Libla Family Sports Complex.

Scott Borkgren - Daily American Republic