A slow start at St. Louis cost the North Central Missouri College Lady Pirates a chance and first-place in Region XVI on Saturday afternoon, as a series of charges by NCMC came up just short in a back-and-forth second half, as the Archers won 75-73, in action on Hot Country Z 101.7.
North Central struggled out of the gates, trailing 20-9 after one quarter, but a strong second-quarter push brought the Lady Pirates to within five points at the half, not a bad spot to be, considering the slow start, according to Head Coach Jenni Croy:
The Lady Pirates struggled to slow down St. Louis starting forward Chrishana Wilson, who had 28 points to go with 16 rebounds. Shamiah Oliver added 18 points, and point guard Ellisha Davis 15 for the Archers. STLCC is now 13-8 overall and 4-0 in Region XVI.
The lead slid back-and-forth for three straight possessions late, with North Central, bolstered by a 31 point afternoon from Kendey Eaton, taking the lead, only to see the Archers take it back. A missed shot with six seconds remaining, and a free throw made by St. Louis, gave the home team the final margin:
Sarah Lamp finished with 10 points for the Lady Pirates, now 16-6 overall, and 3-1 in Region XVI play. The North Central women will host the Missouri Valley JV tonight (Monday night) at 5:30, before two Region XVI road trips finish out the week. On Wednesday night, the Lady Pirates play Wentworth Military Academy at 5:30 in Lexington, with a game at Penn Valley Community College in Kansas City awaiting on Saturday at 2 o’clock. Both the Wentworth game and Penn Valley game will be broadcast on Hot Country Z 101.7.
The North Central Missouri College men struggled offensively throughout Saturday afternoon’s contest at St. Louis, held to just 23 points in a scuffling first half, and falling to the rugged Archers, 74-58. The Archers, now 14-8 overall and 2-1 (2nd place) in Region XVI, had 20 points from Sean Rigmaiden, 18 from DaVonte Harrell, and 15 points from Todd Simms.
The Pirates, in falling to 10-8 overall, and 1-2 (third place) in the Region XVI standings, had 13 points from Demetrius Houston Jr. and 11 from Major Finley.
The North Central men play in Marshall, Missouri on Monday night at 7 o’clock against the Missouri Valley JV, before dueling with Wentworth Military Academy on Wednesday night in Lexington (7:30) and at Penn Valley Community College (Kansas City, MO) on Saturday afternoon at 4 o’clock. The men’s games in Lexington and Kansas City will both be aired on Hot Country Z 101.7.
