Class of 2024: Cap and gown pickups begin April 15 at the Harriman and Oak Ridge bookstores. Bookstore hours are 8am-4:30pm ET Monday-Thursday. Visit the commencement ceremony webpage for additional info.
November 13, 2019
By Donnie Hall
Roane State sports information writer
The Roane State Lady Raiders basketball team picked up a gutsy and rather unexpected 68-61 win at home Wednesday night over conference rival Motlow State. The win improved their season record at 2-2 overall and 1-0 in conference play.
The Lady Raiders, who dressed only five players for the contest, jumped out to an 18-16 lead after one period, and extended that lead to 35-28 at the half.
In the third stanza, Roane State outscored Motlow 21-6 to end the quarter with a 22-point lead, 56-34.
The Lady Bucs came roaring back in the fourth quarter going on an 11-0 run and outscoring the Lady Raiders, 25-12.
Despite having to finish the game with only four players when sophomore forward Christina Pack fouled out with 47.1 seconds to play, Roane State sank seven of eight free throws down the stretch to hang on for the hard-fought victory.
With 3:51 remaining in the contest, a greatly fatigued Lady Raiders team dug down deep to find the energy necessary to continue the fight. Freshman guard Kiara Inman, was fouled and knocked to the floor. Fighting leg cramps for the remainder of the contest, Inman went to the free throw line and connected on the back end of a pair of free throws to stop the Lady Bucs run of 11 unanswered points.
On the night, four Lady Raiders scored in double figures. Sophomore guard Laprasia Ward led all scorers with 19 points. Inman added 16. Sophomore forwards Christina Pack and Mykeia McCullough each tallied 13 points in the win.
All four Lady Raiders connected from beyond the three point arc, including two each for Inman and McCullough.
Four Lady Bucs reached double figures in the game. Nya Caruthers led the team with 16 points and Kevankia Brown added 14.
The Lady Raiders have been plagued with a rash of untimely injuries and illnesses recently, which left them with only five players capable of dressing for Wednesday’s game. Freshman point guard Naomi Jefferson, who suffered a head injury in the team’s win over Bryan College JV a week earlier, may be available for action as early as this weekend. Last year’s leading scorer, sophomore Riley Guillemet, is expected to return to practice next week, as are others on the squad.
Roane State Community College Head Coach David Harnish, who is in his first year at the helm of the Lady Raiders program, remains cautiously optimistic about his team’s chances through the long campaign. Being 2-2 at this point (1-0 in conference play) is certainly a blessing, especially considering the adversities the team has been required to overcome.
The Lady Raiders return to conference play this Saturday at Jackson State Community College. Tip-off for that game is 2:00 p.m. CST.
The team returns home next Wednesday against conference foe Cleveland State Community College. Tip off for that contest will be 5:30 p.m. EST.
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