April 1 Jefferson College at Sedalia, Missouri

The State Fair Community College (SFCC) Lady Roadrunners picked up their first victory of the season in their final home game, a Region 16 and Missouri Community College Athletic Conference game on sophomore night, defeating the Jefferson College Lady Vikings from Hillsboro 67-61 on April 1 inside the Fred E. Davis Multipurpose Center.

SFCC (1-17) led 53-38 at the end of three quarters. The Lady Vikings put together a furious rally in the final quarter but, the Lady Roadrunners hung on to earn the victory.

"Once our players got the lead and started to feel good, you knew that Jefferson was going to come back and make a run and we had to be able to answer the run," said Lady Roadrunners Head Coach Kevin Bucher. "We had a big enough lead; I was starting to get worried when we began to miss free throws. We were able to hit crucial shots to keep the lead. I want to give Coach (LaTice)Jones credit; she has done an outstanding job with our players. She has worked relentlessly."

Freshman forward Ja'Kyah Amous of Chicago, Illinois led SFCC in scoring with 16 points. Freshman guard/forward Tieriney Echols of Memphis, Tennessee registered a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Echols also registered a team-high four steals in the game and tied for the team lead in assists with three, along with freshman guard/forward Donnisia Harrison of Chicago, Illinois and freshman guard/forward Amaya Coakley of Killeen, Texas. Freshman guard Eliyah Howard of Texarkana, Texas, freshman guard/forward Ty'Raven Linwood of Mount Vernon, Texas, and Coakley all had 10 points in the game.

The Lady Roadrunners honored the teams' lone sophomore guard Briasia Garza of Houston, Texas at halftime.

SFCC also honored Coach Bucher in a pregame ceremony, before his final home game. Bucher announced his resignation from SFCC last month. Bucher was presented a framed jersey by SFCC President Dr. Joanna Anderson, Vice President of Education and Student Support Services Dr. Brent Bates, and Athletic Director Darren Pannier.

"I really didn't want to go out without a win," said Bucher. "At least I can say that we won my last game here. We have some momentum heading into the Region Tournament next week. I must thank our players. I would not be able to coach here it wasn't for them."

David Rohrbach

SFCC Athletics