A nationally ranked basketball team doesn’t need much of a window through which to squeeze for a win, and the No. 12 Trinity Valley College Lady Cardinals capitalized on such a window when they saw it in eliminating the Angelina College Lady Roadrunners 71-57 in Wednesday’s Region XIV conference tournament action in Jacksonville.
In a game many expected to end in a blowout, the Lady ‘Runners fought their way through a couple of Lady Cardinal runs to close to within eight points with a little more than three minutes to play in the game. However, three missed free throws and a missed field goal attempt from AC led to a six-point swing, and just like that, the Lady Cardinals were back in front by 14 points. Trinity Valley protected the lead late by hitting a pair of field goals in the final minute while holding the Lady ‘Runners to two free throws over the last three minutes to advance to the next round.
Charisma Shepherd led the Lady Roadrunners with 20 points, hitting five three pointers in the game. Sophomores Kennethah Harden added 13 points and Tyanna Barlow 12 in their final games with AC. Freshman Karley McHenry finished with six points.
Shakeela Fowler’s 19 points led the Lady Cardinals (25-5). Naomi Davenport pitched in with 16 points and Rainey Kuykendall 12 in the win.
AC sophomores Kathan Arvie and La’Neique Nealey also appeared for the final time in Lady Roadrunner uniforms.
The Lady ‘Runners end their season at 15-16 and head coach Byron Coleman’s 11th straight appearance in the post season.
AC’s men will continue their march through the tournament on Thursday, as the Roadrunners face the Trinity Valley Cardinals at 8 p.m. in Jacksonville.
The e-mail address for AC’s Sports Information Director is gstallard@angelina.edu.
