After fighting through offensive struggles – and trailing – for the better part of three quarters, the Angelina College Lady Roadrunners finally put together a lead-taking scoring run in the fourth period – only to have the same shooting struggles revisit near the end of the game.
AC’s hard-earned lead at the 4:34 mark of the final period faded in the stretch, as Seminole State’s Belles bounced back with an 11-2 run to close out the game and take a 71-65 win in Friday’s opening day of the Angelina Classic at Shands Gymnasium.
The Belles led by as many as 13 points in the early going, holding the lead until AC’s Caitlyn Lambert hit a turnaround jumper to tie the score at 58-58. LaNeique Nealey’s free throw with 4:34 to play gave the Lady ‘Runners their first lead of the game, but Seminole State’s defense clamped down to hold AC scoreless over the final two minutes.
Lambert and Malachi McQueen led the Lady Roadrunners with 14 points each. Nealey added 12 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks, and Mikayla Crockett hit for 11 points, but an AC team coming off a game in which the team combined for 12 three pointers hit just two of 19 attempts from behind the line.
The Belles’ Qua’charmany Tarkington led Seminole State with 17 points; teammate Olivia Wells added 16.
In the day’s earlier action, McLennan’s Highlassies withstood a furious late rally to hold off Panola College by a 72-65 score.
Saturday’s games will include Panola College vs. Seminole State College at 1 p.m., McLennan College against the Lady Roadrunners at 3 p.m. and the Roadrunner men vs. Greater Houston Prep at 5 p.m. The day will include Hall of Fame induction ceremonies for various former Angelina College players and teams, with those events taking place during the pre-game and halftime portions of both AC games.
The e-mail address for AC’s Sports Information Director is gstallard@angelina.edu.
