SEDALIA, Mo. — The normally prolific Raider offense wasn't quite the same against Region XVI competition. Averaging 92.8 points through six games this season, including a 101-point performance on opening night, Three Rivers scored 21 points in the first half as Mineral Area beat the Raiders 61-60 in the Region XVI Showdown on Friday in Sedalia, Mo. "Running through the Region like we did last year, not losing a game, was as much motivation for Mineral Area as it was for everyone else in the Region," Three Rivers coach Jeff Walk saisd. "We have to be at our best every game because we are going to get everyone else's best."

The largest lead of the game was just seven points, and even two-possession leads were rare in a game that featured 26 lead changes and 15 ties. Tied at 58 with under a minute to go, the Cardinals (5-1) drove and scored a layup with 37 seconds on the clock. Three Rivers (5-2), ranked 20th in the nation heading into the game, brought the ball back up the court and called a timeout with 16 seconds left. Hannah Thurmon inbounded the ball to Chaylea Mosby, who drove baseline, drew a foul with 12 seconds left and swished both free throws. The Cardinals inbounded the ball with 10 seconds left and drew a foul with 0.4 on the clock.

As Mineral Area stepped to the free-throw line. Mineral Area made the first, missed the second, and Three Rivers called timeout immediately. By rule, 0.3 seconds have to come off the clock in a late timeout, leaving Three Rivers with 0.1 and forcing them to try for a volleyball style tip-in to win. The Raiders, down a point and inbounding from their own side of the court, tried for a long lob that missed everyone and landed out of bounds, and the Cardinals inbounded the ball to end the game. "I wouldn't say this was our best game of the year. I wouldn't say it was our worst.

They forced us into a bunch of turnovers," Walk said, highlighting that the Raiders made 23 turnovers against a team that wasn't pressing. Deanay Watson led Three Rivers with 18 points on 50 percent shooting and Jordan Little had 10 points and five rebounds. While Three rivers shot 28.6% in the first half, Mineral Area wasn't much better at 32.0%. Mineral Area went on a small run late in the second quarter to take a seven point lead, the biggest of the game. Mosby swished a 3 as the clock ticked under the 2-minute mark to cut the Cardinal lead to two points, and the Cardinals went into halftime with a 23-31 lead. "Our offense has kind of been sputtering the last few games, Walk said. "I think we played pretty hard throughout." Three Rivers tied the game to open the third quarter, soon took the lead, but both teams traded buckets and a one-possession lead throughout the second half. Mineral Area had three players in double figures with Rionne Papa leading the team with 16 points. Masyn McWilliams and Natalia Lalic each had 13. Three Rivers will play Crowder at 1 p.m. Saturday to conclude its schedule in the Region XVI Showdown. "I think we're going to go back running and gunning and see what happens," Walk said. "I'm tired of coming out of the gates slow." 

Scott Borkgren - Daily American Republic