Lady Roadrunners earn National Tournament victory
The ninth seeded State Fair Community College (SFCC) Lady Roadrunners women’s basketball team held off a late charge to defeat the 24th seeded Central Georgia Technical College 80-73 on Wednesday, March 23 inside Townsley Law Arena in the opening round of the NJCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship.
Lake Charles, La.-The ninth seeded State Fair Community College (SFCC) Lady Roadrunners women's basketball team held off a late charge to defeat the 24th seeded Central Georgia Technical College 80-73 on Wednesday, March 23 inside Townsley Law Arena in the opening round of the NJCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship. It was the first victory for SFCC at the NJCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship since the 2010-2011 season and only the second in the history of program.
SFCC (29-2) started the game well. The Lady Roadrunners led 23-14 at the end of the opening quarter. SFCC stretched the advantage to 35-15 with less than five minutes remaining until halftime. SFCC took a 44-27 lead into the locker room at halftime.
Central Georgia turned the pressure up defensively and trimmed the SFCC advantage to 61-50 at the end of three quarters. Central Georgia kept the pressure on and cut the SFCC lead to 75-70 with less than two minutes remaining in the contest. Central Georgia forced 29 turnovers in the game.
The Lady Roadrunners made just enough plays against the trapping pressure defense of Central Georgia to preserve the victory.
SFCC used a balanced scoring attack in the contest. Five Lady Roadrunners scored in double figures for the game. Sophomore forward Ellie Buscher of St. Louis, Mo. posted another double-double with 26 points and 15 rebounds. Buscher also led the team with five steals. Buscher also led the team in blocked shots with two to finish her outstanding all-around game. Freshman guard Chloe Reed of Wentzville, Mo. contributed 17 points. Sophomore guard Zoe Newland of St. Louis, Mo. chipped in with 12 points. Sophomore guard Sophia Edwin of Killeen, Texas added 10 points and tied for the team lead in assists with Reed with five. Freshman forward Taylor Wilson of Copperas Cove, Texas also had 10 points. Sophomore guard/forward Carolyn Foster of O'Fallon, Ill. pulled down 10 rebounds.
"I am super proud of this group," said head coach Nicole Collier. "Central Georgia Tech gave us some trouble with their pressure, but the group locked in, got key stops late, and handled their pressure."
The victory was the 97th career win for Collier at SFCC.
The Lady Roadrunners will advance to play eighth-seeded Walters State Community College on Friday, March 27. Tipoff is scheduled for 10 a.m.
David Rohrbach
SFCC Athletics