The Lady Roadrunners had their chances to pull off the upset.
But against the nation’s 5th-ranked team, “almost” means nothing more than a heartbreaking loss.
Angelina College fell 58-57 to No. 5 Trinity Valley Community College on Saturday despite 25 points and 15 rebounds from the Lady ‘Runners’ Natasha Mack.
AC opened the game on fire, taking a 13-2 lead in the first quarter. Then the Lady Cardinal defense shut down the Lady Roadrunners completely, forcing turnovers on six straight AC possessions to set off a 19-0 TVCC run.
The Lady ‘Runners settled down and battled back in the fourth period. Mack scored nine points in the quarter, and Angelica Darcus hit a turnaround jumper with 18 seconds to play to tie the game at 57-57.
On the ensuing Trinity Valley possession, Lady Card Michal Miller drew a foul and hit one of two free-throw attempts with a little more than three seconds to play. AC’s desperation heave at the buzzer was off the mark, dropping the Lady Roadrunners to their second straight loss.
Mercedes Brooks led TVCC with 23 points. Miller added 16.
Charisma Shepherd finished with seven points for AC, while Williams finished with six.
In Bossier City, the Roadrunner men lost to Bossier Parish Community College 93-84.
The Lady Roadrunners (13-4, 5-2) travel to Brenham on Wednesday to take on Blinn College. Game time is 5:30 p.m.
The Roadrunners will host Lamar State College-Port Arthur at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Shands Gymnasium.
The e-mail address for AC’s Sports Information Director is gstallard@angelina.edu.