Basket, it's so nice to drop shots through you.

Sincerely, the Three Rivers women's basketball team.

A week removed from offensive struggles that resulted in a home defeat to Moberly Area College, the No. 20 Lady Raiders could do little wrong on the offensive side of the court as they blasted State Fair CC 96-58 Saturday at the Libla Family Sports Complex.

Six Lady Raiders scored in double figures including Maiya Bergdorf (20 points in 20 minutes off the bench), Ari Winston and Da'Kariya Jackson (each with 14 points), Amiya Johnson and Mariah Smith (a dozen apiece), and Aisja Strachan (10 points).

Jackson added seven assists and Winston grabbed nine boards.

The Three Rivers (18-3, 5-2) defense also forced 31 turnovers and held the Lady Roadrunners (12-12, 0-6) to 37.5 percent shooting.

"We did a great job – especially in the second half – getting the ball in the paint whether it was off of a drive or off a post touch and shooting those threes," TRC head coach Alex Wiggs said. "We didn't shoot any threes off one or no passes like we did the other night (against Moberly) which is why our offense flourished there in the second half.

"If you watched us all year, we are a pretty talented and good team. I am proud that we competed. State Fair is a talented team and they keep a lot of people close. I like how the girls battled tonight."

State Fair led early 12-10 as the first quarter saw the home team warm up and when they did, they took control.

The Lady Raiders took a 23-15 lead at the end of the first quarter and slowly churned out success over the next 10 minutes to wrap up the half with a 46-33 advantage.

The second half started off no bueno for State Fair and the Three Rivers defense had plenty to do with it as the TRC advantage grew to 25.

The Lady Raiders offense continued to hum and the squad entered the final quarter up comfortably at 75-48.

In reality, the second half was a clinic on how to be offensively dominant as the Lady Raiders continued to hit from all points of the floor to cruise to the win.

The Lady Raiders trail Moberly in the Region XVI standings in second position, but if they win out – including beating the leaders in the road rematch, Three Rivers could still claim the No. 1 seed in the tournament.

TRC heads to Mineral Area College for a 5 p.m. Wednesday match-up as it plays the first of its last six games.

Alan Dale - Daily American Republic