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. Â Shamiah Oliver added 18 Â points, and point guard Ellisha Davis 15 for the Archers. Â 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. Â 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. Â 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. Â 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. Â The Archers, now 14-8 overall and 2-1 (2nd place) in Region XVI, Â had 20 points from Sean Rigmaiden, 18 from DaVonte Harrell, and 15 points from Todd Simms. Â
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. Â
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. Â The men’s games in Lexington and Kansas City will both be aired on Hot Country Z 101.7.