Byron Coleman is not about “statement” wins.
He doesn’t mind a little confirmation, however.
A day after the NJCAA rankings listed Coleman’s Angelina College Lady Roadrunners as the 14th best Division I team in the nation, the Lady ‘Runners showed they belong with a convincing 86-71 win over No. 16 Tyler Junior College.
With her father – legendary North Carolina Tar Heel, Los Angeles Laker and Dallas Maverick – Sam Perkins on-hand, AC’s Mia Perkins posted a 23-point, 12-rebound night to lead the Lady Roadrunners. Natasha Mack made it a double dip of double-doubles, finishing with 22 points and 17 rebounds.
With both post players posting big numbers, the difference in the contest may have come down to the guard play. AC’s Mia Williams finished with 15 points, and backcourt mates Arianna Gary, Taylor Jacob and Britney Thompson teamed up to knock down five key three pointers to lead the Lady Roadrunners to a 14-1, 3-1 record on the season.
Felmas Koranga led the Lady Apaches with 16 points; Kierra Brimzy added 15 in the loss.
In the late game, the Roadrunners battled back from a nine-point deficit in the final two minutes, but couldn’t get Panola’s Tariq Simmons to miss a free throw. Simmons went 8-for-8 in the final 30 seconds to hold off AC’s late charge and give the Ponies the 83-81 win.
The Lady Roadrunners will play at Bossier Parish College on Saturday at 2 p.m. The Roadrunners (8-9, 2-4) travel to No. 10 Trinity Valley in Athens for a 4 p.m. start.
The e-mail address for AC’s Sports Information Director is gstallard@angelina.edu.
