TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The Three Rivers College women's basketball team picked up not one, but two, marquee victories over the weekend at the Shelton State Classic.
The Lady Raiders finished the 2024 portion of their schedule in strong fashion at the two-day event, first by defeating the host Bucs 52-51 on Saturday, then defeating previously-unbeaten Pearl River (Mississippi) 80-70 on Sunday afternoon.
With the wins, Three Rivers improves to 12-2 on the season and moves up two spots to sixth in Monday's NJCAA national rankings. Shelton State drops two spots to ninth, while Pearl River falls from 11th to 17th. Both squads' only losses this year are to the Lady Raiders.
The Bucs led Three Rivers 43-41 at the start of the fourth quarter, but the Lady Raiders scored the first six points of the final period and took a 47-43 lead on Kaleigh "KT" Thompson's layup with 6:08 left in the contest.
Shelton State's Julie Nekolna had a chance to tie the game at the free-throw line in the closing seconds, but missed the second of two foul shots and the Three Rivers defense preserved the win.
Kamille Brown paced the Lady Raiders with 13 points, while Thompson added 12 points and also had 15 rebounds for the double-double. Sydnei Marshall had seven points, while Lexi Weaver finished with six. Weaver and Marshall had two steals apiece, while Thompson blocked a pair of shots.
Against Pearl River, Three Rivers led 23-15 after the opening period and pushed its lead to 51-29 at the intermission. Pearl River rallied, cutting the Lady Raider lead to 64-51 by the start of the fourth quarter and getting it down to single digits in the final period, but Three Rivers again held on defense.
Jasmine paced the Lady Raiders with 13 points, while Laylah Reese added 11 and Thompson had 10. Emma Toombs and Bramyia Johnson each had eight points, while Brown and Brittani Wells each finished with seven. Brown also had seven rebounds, while Davis had six and also added a pair of steals.
Three Rivers is off for the holidays until Jan. 4, when the Lady Raiders make the trip to southeastern Illinois to take on fifth-ranked Wabash Valley, which beat them in overtime on Nov. 2 at the Libla Family Sports Complex.
The Lady Raiders' first home game of the new year is set for Jan. 11, when they take on Crowder to open Region XVI play.
Mike Buhler - Daily American Republic