PARK HILLS – The No. 1 Three Rivers women's basketball team kept up the winning ways on Saturday as they handed Mineral Area a 77-54 loss on their home court. The Lady Raiders have now won 51 straight regular season games.
"The girls came out of the gate ready to go," Three Rivers coach Alex Wiggs said. "This is our fourth game in seven days and I know the fatigue is there and they're a little banged up. But I couldn't be prouder of how they started and how they held onto the lead."
The Raiders were led offensively by Myia Yelder scoring 17 points while Karlee Holland added 13 and Jenna McMillen and Joi Montgomery contributing 10 points a piece. Montgomery also recorded a double-double with 12 rebounds.
"Joi has been getting her confidence up the past few games," Wiggs said. "She's been able to make those tough shots."
It was a low scoring affair at first with the game tied at four with 6:20 remaining in the first, but the Raiders (20-0, 9-0 XVI) went on a 10-0 run over the span of four minutes that was snapped by three free throws by the Cardinals (16-8, 7-4 XVI) to make it a 14-7 game with 2:10 on the clock. Three Rivers closed out the first quarter with a 7-1 run to go up 21-8 at the end of the frame.
Three Rivers made it a 28-13 game with less than six to play in the first half and went on a 16-3 run to go into halftime with a 44-16 advantage.
The Raiders maintained their lead in the third as they held onto a 60-33 lead with 4:20 on the clock in the third and went into the fourth with a 60-33 advantage.
Three Rivers will be back in action Monday as they'll take a trip out to Moberly Area for a makeup contest against the Greyhounds.
"Moberly is another one of those teams that's well coached," Wiggs said. "I know they've worked on their rebound control so we need to be able to rebound the ball and breaking down those defensive matchups."
Tip off at Moberly on Monday is scheduled for 6 p.m.
Robert Augsdorfer - Daily American Republic