Riverhawks Top No. 8 Nationally Ranked Lazers, 78-77

The Details

            Final Score: Riverhawks 78, Onondaga Community College Lazers 77

            Updated Records: AACC 7-4 overall, 3-1 conference. Lazers 11-3 overall, 0-0 conference

            Location: Anne Arundel Community College – Arnold, MD

            Box Score: Found here

            Media Gallery:  Video

Game Notes

            The Riverhawks defeated the Nationally Ranked (No. 8) Lazers of Onondaga Community College this Sunday afternoon (1/7) in exciting fashion with the final score 78-77.

            Out of Region III (Syracuse, NY) the Lazers were first to score in the NJCAA DIII match-up, and took control of the game early in the first quarter. While maintaining the lead for the majority of the first ten minutes, Onondaga had a 5-point edge over AACC after the first quarter, leading 18-13.

            Finding their rhythm in the second, the Riverhawks were able to jump out in front of the Lazers and take back control. Daja Burnett (Arnold, MD/Severna Park) put up 16 points during the third to help give AACC the 38-36 lead at half time.

            Keeping the momentum in their favor the Riverhawks continued to find the open outlet passes and finish on fast breaks. Breaking down on defense as well, the Riverhawks finished the third quarter strong outscoring the Lazers 25-13, and extending the lead to 63-49.

            Down by 14 points, the Lazers made a strong push against the Riverhawk defense and quickly had AACC struggling to stay ahead. Midway through the fourth, the Lazers had now cut the Riverhawk lead to just 5 points.

            A defensive rebound followed with a 3-pt bucket by Autumn Foster-Fields (Annapolis, MD/Broadneck) extended the lead to 8, and a quick steal to fast break initiated by Marcelaine Augustin (Lowell, MA/Riverdale Baptist) and finished by Jordan Graham (Severn, MD/Old Mill) put the Riverhawks back up by 10 points.

            The relentless efforts by the Lazers left little room for the Riverhawks to relax as they quickly cut the lead down to just 4 points with 2 minutes remaining.

            Hitting a big 3-pt bucket and coming up with a defensive rebound, the Lazers pushed the transition, found the open shot, and netted the ball. With just 19 seconds remaining, the Lazers of Onondaga had grabbed the 77-76 lead.

            Off the timeout, the Riverhawks pushed the ball up court where Augustin found the open Foster-Fields who finished on the jump shot, re-claiming the lead (78-77).  With 11 seconds remaining the Lazers were able to get a quick shot off from under the hoop but failing to finish, the Riverhawks would earn the victory over the No. 8 nationally ranked team.

            Daja Burnett would finish 31 points, Autumn Foster-Fields with 26, and Jordan Graham with 10 points and 5 steals. Marcelaine Augustin would finish with 8 points, 7 assists, and 10 rebounds on the day.

Up Next

            The Riverhawks will look to keep the momentum going as they are scheduled to play the NJCAA DI Region XX Panthers of Baltimore City Community College, this Monday night (1/8). Tip-off is scheduled for 5:00 pm in the Jenkins Gymnasium at Anne Arundel Community College in Arnold, MD.

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