JOHNSTOWN – The Lady Raiders had won nine of their 10 Division III games this season. They were fresh off a 90-46 win at Herkimer on Thursday, they had scored an average of 87 points in their previous three games, and they were ranked #4 among the 16 teams in the region. However, on Saturday they hosted #3-ranked Mohawk Valley, and the Lady Hawks gave the stronger performance. Mohawk Valley won the contest 67-54.
Photo: FM's Torri Richard scores despite being fouled
The Lady Raiders controlled most of the first half. Both teams played tight defense. FM took an 8-4 lead when Stephanie Rice sank both of the three-pointers that she attempted in the early going.
Torri Richard sank a long two, and then she intercepted an MV pass, sprinted 70 feet, and scored, giving FM a 12-7 lead. Jessica Woney hit a three from the right side, and FM led 15-7. MV's Stevie Ray trimmed that lead with a three-pointer. Ray's shot foreshadowed what she would do later.
Photo: Jess Woney sends the ball to a teammate
Evanda Redwood fashioned a three-point play, and FM led by eight. Redwood scored again. Woney went to the line for a one-and-one and sank both shots. Woney then drove into the paint and banked home a shot. FM led 27-14. Things were looking good for the home team, but then the visitors began their comeback. The Lady Raiders still led at halftime, but MV had shaved their deficit to six points, at 27-21.
The game was Mohawk Valley's first contest after the holiday break. The Lady Hawks appeared to be back in pre-holiday form as the second half began.
FM had some trouble scoring in the opening minutes, but the Lady Hawks got the ball through the twine often enough. After three and a half minutes, MV's Imani Pierce nailed a three-pointer to give the Lady Hawks the lead at 28-27. From that point on, the visitors' tight and quick defense held FM in check, and MV sophomore Stevie Ray poured in five second-half threes. The visitors outscored FM 46-27 in the second stanza.
Photo: Torri Richard sinks a long two-pointer
FM's next outing will also be challenging. On Tuesday they will travel to Saranac Lake to meet the #1-ranked Lady Saints of North Country CC. The tipoff is set for 6:00 p.m. Part of FM's low scoring in Saturday's second half was due to MV's defense, and part was due to FM's shooting being a bit off. If the Lady Raiders can regain their usual scoring touch, Tuesday's game could be a very good one.
C.J. Bonny, website writer
Scoring:
MVCC: Dorsett 0-1-1, Dublin 2-0-4, Favelle 2-0-4, Garcia 1-0-3, Giles 2-5-9, Kralik 1-0-3, Pierce 7-4-20, Ray 6-4-22, Shirley 0-1-1; Totals 21-15-67
FMCC: Pope 0-2-2, Woney 3-6-13, Rice 5-1-13, Redwood 4-3-12, Boyer 1-1-3, Richard 4-3-11; Totals 17-16-54
Three-point goals: Mohawk Valley 10 (Ray 6, Pierce 2, Garcia, Kralik), FMCC 4 (Rice 2, Woney, Redwood)
Records: Mohawk Valley 11-2 (3-1), FMCC 9-4 (4-1)
Photo: Evanda Redwood shooting early in the second half
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