NEOSHO, Mo. — The first day of the Region XVI challenge definitely lived up to its name at Crowder College Friday afternoon.
That's because the 23rd-ranked Three Rivers women's basketball team faced off with a State Fair squad in the opener of region play that was more than ready for this contest and pushed the Lady Raiders to the limit for the first time this season.
Key free throws and some timely stops on defense were enough for Three Rivers (6-0, 1-0 Region XVI) to hold on for an 81-77 win and get ready for Saturday's 3 p.m. tipoff against Mineral Area, also at Crowder.
"We are going to get everybody's best and we have to be prepared mentally to go out there," Three Rivers head coach Alex Wiggs said. "I am proud of how we battled, the way we competed and I thought the girls did really well down the stretch."
Wiggs said it boiled down to a game of 72 free throws shot — "that's crazy" — and he was pleased with his team's ability to hit at key moments."
Maiya Bergdorf (15 points), Jenna McMillen (13), Da'Kariya Jackson (12) and Niaisya Erwin (11) led Three Rivers in the victory.
State Fair definitely didn't back down in the early going as they went toe-to-toe and trey-for-trey with the Lady Raiders and led 15-12 seven minutes into the contest.
The Lady Roadrunners (5-1) were able to hold to a 19-15 lead after the first 10 minutes.
Three Rivers fell behind by 26-19 early in the second quarter as a growing number of Lady Raiders turnovers didn't help their cause and State Fair would take advantage in spots.
However, the Lady Raiders chipped away and tied it at 33-all with just over three minutes left when Jenna McMillen drained a cold three off of a high screen and forced the Lady Roadrunners into a timeout.
Then Neelyville grad Makenzi Davis hit two free throws moments later and suddenly the Lady Raiders were back up 35-33.
Fittingly, the game was a 38-38 contest as both teams took to the halftime locker room chat.
The third quarter was still more of a seesaw battle as both teams continued to defend with ferocity and extended pressure with numerous successful exchanges on both sides of the floor with State Fair holding a 1-3 point lead.
Then the winning DNA began to kick in and the Lady Raiders led after the third quarter and started to build a cushion, although still had only a tentative three-point edge after the first 30 minutes.
The Lady Raiders would then shoot 9-of-12 from the free throw line in the fourth quarter to stave off any chance the Lady Roadrunners would have of a comeback.
"They gave us a good game last year," Wiggs said. "They were very well coached — their head coach was my boss for three years (at Lincoln University).
"I thought our pressure was good late and we had some key steals in our press. We need to continue that in the halfcourt that we lock in and not allow the middle drive."
Next is another region opponent looking for a Lady Raiders scalp.
"They are really good and they have a couple of really good shooters," Wiggs said of Mineral Area College. "They are going to be ready to go. They are kind of a rivalry game."
Alan Dale - Daily American Republic