SPLIT DECISION: Lady Raiders win big, men fall in OT at Lincoln Trail

Three Rivers freshmen Ali Oralkan (35) and Sikou Diagouraga (left) guard a Lincoln Trail shooter during Tuesday's men's junior college basketball game in Robinson, Illinois.

Robinson Daily News/Josh Brown

ROBINSON, Ill. — The Three Rivers College men's and women's basketball teams had a mixed showing when they went on the road Tuesday to take on the Lincoln Trail Statesmen and Lady Statesmen.

The Lady Raiders broke the 100-point barrier for the first time this season in a 105-56 win over Lincoln Trail, while the men fell 69-61 in overtime to Lincoln Trail.

In the women's contest, Three Rivers (4-1) dominated the boards and used a smothering defense — especially in the second half — to dominate the Lady Statesmen.

The Lady Raiders opened up a 31-19 lead after the first period and extended their advantage to 58-38 by the intermission. In the second half, Three Rivers held the hosts to just 18 points and to just 21% shooting (6-for-28) from the field to break the game wide open.

Eleven players broke into the scoring column for the Lady Raiders, led by 22 points from Bramyia Johnson. Yannie Flemings and Kaleigh “KT” Thompson joined Johnson in double figures with 14 points apiece, while Laylah Reese added 11 and Kamille Brown finished with 10. Samari Taylor added eight points, while Emma Toombs and Lexi Weaver each had seven.

Three Rivers also outrebounded the Lady Statesmen 58-21, led by nine boards from Thompson, while Toombs added eight and the duo of Flemings and Weaver each had seven. Brown also had four steals, while Sydnei Marshall had three and Courtney Bluitt had two. Jasmine Davis also blocked two shots.

It was a different story in the men's game, where the Raiders and Lincoln Trail were back-and-forth much of the game in a defensive struggle.

Three Rivers (4-2) led most of the first half and early in the second half before the Statesmen went on a 11-0 run to take a 40-34 lead on Jared Jackson's basket with nine minutes and change left in the second half.

The Raiders did not give up, using a 10-2 run to take a 51-48 lead on two free throws from Demetris “Meechie” White with 1:57 left in regulation and leading 53-51 after a Cole Nichols free throw with five seconds left.

However, Lincoln Trail (4-0) answered back, getting a basket from Ronnie Ellis before time expired to tie the game and force overtime — then in the extra session, the Statesmen outscored Three Rivers 16-8 to secure the win.

The Raiders were burned by 22 turnovers Tuesday and also shot just 32% from the field (20-for-63), including 29% (10-for-35) after halftime. However, Three Rivers did outrebound the Statesmen 49-37 and held the hosts to just 34% shooting (23-for-68).

Matt Hampton paced the Raiders with 17 points, while Robert “Deuce” Alexander added 11 and White finished with 10. Hampton also hauled down eight rebounds, while White had two steals and William Patterson blocked three shots while making his first start of the season.

Ty Williams led Lincoln Trail the Statesmen with 19 points, while Ellis added 16 and Gabe Omoregie finished with 10.

The Raiders are back on the court at 5 p.m. Friday at the Bob Sechrest Classic in Park Hills against Link Year Prep, while the Lady Raiders are off until Monday when they host Northwest Mississippi.

Notes: The Lady Raiders are slated to get guard Brittani Wells back Monday after she has been sidelined for roughly 10 months with a knee injury. … Hampton and White lead the Raiders in scoring so far this season at 13 and 12 points per game, respectively. … Weaver and Thompson lead the Lady Raiders offense in scoring with 13.6 and 12.6 points per contest. … Samari Taylor and Thompson lead the team in rebounds at 6.6 and 6.2 per game, while Brown, Davis and Thompson each have more than two steals per contest.