Despite having not 10 days off since a historic loss that ended an even more profound, 56-game regular season win streak, the Three Rivers Lady Raiders basketball team really only had three practices to get ready for the return to the hardwood.
A holiday and illness kept them a part in some measure and when it came down to hosting Vincennes University Tuesday night, things got a little dicey for the Lady Raiders.
After a struggle of a first half, the Lady Raiders, buckled down late and used a big 24-11 run to end the contest and pull away for a 78-70 win at Libla Family Sports Complex.
Three Rivers (6-1) was led by Da'Kariya Jackson (16 points), Maiya Bergdorf (14 points) and Niaisya Ervin (13 points). Mariah Smith and Marihya Hart also chipped in by hitting nine points apiece.
"They are a good team," Three Rivers head coach Alex Wiggs said. "Two of their three losses are to us. Our goal is to win by one and they made us work. Our girls responded."
Three Rivers trailed 59-56 at the end of the third quarter as Vincennes (7-3) would not back down and then the Lady Raiders got serious.
Marihya Hart hit a three with just under nine minutes left to tie the game at 61-apiece and then Mariah Smith followed that up with a triple of her own and suddenly the Lady Raiders led 64-61 south of the eight-minute mark.
Add a trey by Jackson only a few possessions later and the hosts led 67-61 and they would ride that momentum to a cushioned if not easy victory.
The early moments of the game saw the Lady Raiders and Vincennes go head-to-head applying pressure to the other, but it was the Three Rivers women who made the most of their chances.
They led 7-2 and 14-6 at various junctures of the opening quarter, while Vincennes could not make the most of their opportunities.
Three Rivers led 21-11 after the first 10 minutes and then things got interesting as their guests started hitting shots they earlier were missing, and they chipped away at the deficit.
A triple by 12 gave Three Rivers a 26-17 lead and from there Vincennes finished the first half with a 14-8 run to pull within 34-31 at the break. Mariya Bergdorf converted an and-one in the waning seconds to provide the Lady Raiders with the edge heading into the locker room.
"Things changed because I think we got tired and we only practiced a few times and had so many days off," Wiggs said. "It kind of stinks that whenever I give the kids (Thanksgiving holiday off for four days off) and you play a team like this, it's more mental than anything. I feel like we've got to make sure more locked in.
"We are not going to be in 100 percent the best shape after so many days off. I know shots aren't going to fall that much."
Wiggs was happy that the Lady Raiders kept battling and competing against a squad that played over the holiday break and appeared to have its legs.
"That's a pretty good win for us coming against a good team."
Wiggs admitted the Vincennes ladies were not intimated by his team's prowess, but the rally and win by the Lady Raiders was equally impressive.
Vincennes out rebounded Three Rivers 40-29, but only forced the Lady Raiders into 15 turnovers.
Three Rivers heads to Jefferson College for a three-game swing this weekend and another Region 16 Showdown.
The slate begins with 3 p.m. Friday's contest against Crowder College and then the Lady Raiders play 3 p.m. Saturday against Moberly Area Community College and 5 p.m. Sunday when the host battle Three Rivers to wrap up the weekend of action.
Alan Dale - Daily American Republic