NOVA Spoils Sophomore Day for Riverhawks, 68-54

The Details

              Final Score: Riverhawks 54, Northern Virginia Nighthawks 68

              Updated Records: AACC 8-12 overall, 0-0 conference. NOVA 4-11 overall, 0-0 conference

              Location: Anne Arundel Community College – Arnold, MD

              Box Score: Found here

              Media: Video here

Game Notes

              Arnold, MD - On a day when tribute, congratulations, and praise was given to the Riverhawks outgoing sophomores; Marcelaine Augustin, Hannah Lieb, and Karley Haensler, the team would finish their final home game of the season with an unfortunate 68-54 loss to the Nighthawks of Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) on Saturday (2/9).

             Jumping out to a quick lead, the Riverhawks showed no sign of fatigue, having just come off a strong win the night before (Arnold, MD). Midway through the 1st period, however would find Lacey Hinkle (Annapolis, MD/Broadneck) in foul trouble and the Nighthawks on a scoring run that would eventually give them the lead and finish the period with 25 points and the Riverhawks down by eight. The second quarter would be evenly played and the Riverhawks would outscore NOVA 19-17, which would end up being the best scoring quarter for the Riverhawks, but the early deficit would still loom large and the half would end with Riverhawks down 42-32.

              The Riverhawks needing to make something happen, just couldn't get the balls to drop in the 3rd period, only scoring 11 points and now both Hinkle and sophomore Marcelaine Augustin (Lowell, MA/Riverdale Baptist) are both in foul trouble with 4 fouls each. Both players would carry those fouls into the fourth period and the team is now down by sixteen (59-43). Augustin would eventually foul out with eight minutes remaining in the 4th period and the team would need to carry on with four players on the court. The heart of the team has been evident all season and it would not falter at this point. The remaining Riverhawks would continue to play hard defensively, only allowing NOVA to score nine points. It would not be enough however, as the Riverhawks were not able to come from behind and the game would end with AACC losing by fourteen.

              The game would be statistically even throughout with three lead changes, nine steals each, and NOVA only outrebounding AACC 51-48. However even on the game was on paper, a lot of shots would not fall for the Riverhawks as they would not hit more than 37% of their field goals.

               Hinkle finished the game with 14 points and 2 assists, and 8 rebounds and Sarah Healy (Davidsonville, MD/South River) ended the afternoon with another double-double, 11 points and 18 rebounds. Healy continues to the lead the Maryland Junior College Athletic Conference (MD JUCO) in rebounds per game (16.2).  Adding 3 steals and 2 assists to her totals, outgoing sophomore  is ranked no. 2 in the Maryland Junior College Athletic Conference (MD JUCO) for assists. 

Up Next

             The Riverhawks will miss the MD JUCO tournament this season but will participate in the NJCAA Region XX Division III tournament February 22 - 24 at Prince George's Community College. See the Riverhawks website for tournament schedule once seeding is announce.

Remember to get the latest updates and announcements, as well as receiving all access to live stats and live videos by following AACC Athletics (@aaccathletics) on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube!