The 12th-ranked Lady Roadrunners used a balanced scoring effort to win their ninth game in a row, defeating the Crowder College Lady Roughriders 84-72 Feb. 11 at the Fred E. Davis Multipurpose Center.
SFCC (19-5, 7-0 in Region 16) took a 32-20 lead courtesy of a jump shot from freshman guard Sierra Clayborn. The Lady Roughriders trimmed the deficit to six points late in the first half. A steal and layup from sophomore guard Derriel Banyard put SFCC ahead 42-32 at halftime.
"Crowder got tired in the stretch to close the half," said Lady Roadrunners Head Coach Kevin Bucher. "We were able to get out in the passing lanes and get some easy layups."
SFCC made the plays in the second half to hold onto their halftime advantage and secure the victory.
"I was very pleased with our reserves," said Bucher. "Anquinette Dozier and Raven Mammah gave us some very good minutes, and Tyisha Saunders and Derriel Banyard had very good games as well. Derriel really attacked the glass."
Six Lady Roadrunners scored in double figures. Banyard led in scoring with 17 points, led in steals with three and tied sophomore guard Erin Boothe for the team lead in assists with four apiece. Sophomore center Alecia Cooley registered another double double, scoring 12 points and pulling down a team-high 19 rebounds. She also led in blocked shots with two. Boothe and freshman guard Maura Skidmore each added 12 points. Freshman guard/forward Tyisha Saunders and Clayborn pitched in with 10 points each and Saunders pulled down seven rebounds.
"With six players in double figures, we were in great shape," said Bucher.
The Lady Roadrunners honored their sophomore players at halftime. Bucher is pleased with the contributions of each of the sophomores.
"This class is probably one of the winningest classes I've had as a coach," said Bucher. "They have an opportunity to do things that have never been done before."
The Lady Roadrunners will continue their three-game home stand with another big Region 16 game against the Moberly Area Community College Lady Greyhounds at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 14 in the Fred E. Davis Multipurpose Center.
David Rohrbach
SFCC Athletics