The 12-team NJCAA Division III Women’s Basketball National Championship tournament tipped off Wednesday at the Brownwood Coliseum, as teams from across the country continued their quests to make history.
Recaps of each game are as follows:
#7 Owens 69, #10 Jefferson 64
In the closest game of the day from the opening round of the NJCAA Division III Women’s Basketball National Championship tournament at the Brownwood Coliseum, the No. 7 seed Owens Community College Express outlasted the No. 10 seed Jefferson Community College Cannoneers, 69-64.
Owens – from Perrysburg, Ohio – trailed Jefferson – from Watertown, New York – by a 20-14 count after one quarter, grabbed a 37-35 halftime lead, but fell behind 53-52 heading to the fourth period, where the victorious Express owned a 17-11 edge on the scoreboard over the final 10 minutes.
Liv Mullins led Owens (22-8) with a double-double of 22 points and 10 rebounds, followed by 14 points from Da’Cariya Lanier, 11 from Emily Baer and another double-double of 10 points and 13 boards from Sakiya Turner.
For Jefferson (21-7), Keera Lalonde poured in 19 points trailed by 14 from Jakayla Spence and 12 points from Brooke Wiley.
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#8 Onondaga 72, # 9 Bronx 55
In a meeting of the two closest seeds in round one, the No. 8 seed Onondaga Community College Lazers knocked off the No. 9 seed Bronx Community College Broncos, 72-55.
Onondaga – from Syracuse New York – led by a 17-15 count over Bronx – from Bronx, New York – after the initial period, which grew to 35-28 at halftime, and increased to 61-45 after three quarters.
Leading the winning effort for the Lazers (24-4) were Jada Crocker with 28 points, along with Giselle Allen Cruz and Kassidy Jones with 11 points apiece.
For the Broncos (18-6), Aleka Robertson scored a team-high 17 points along with 12 from Destiney Davis and 10 points from Destiny Dickerson.
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#6 Northland Community & Tech 66, #11 Dallas College Richland 58
Providing some local flair, the No. 11 seed Dallas College Richland Thunderducks came up short in their opening round battle with the No. 6 seed Northland Community & Tech Pioneers, 66-58, to wrap up the first day of action.
Northland – from Thief River Falls, Minnesota – was tied with the Metroplex-based Thunderducks at 13 after one quarter, but opened a 30-20 halftime advantage that stood at 45-33 through three frames.
The Pioneers (24-5) received a double-double of 22 points and 11 rebounds from Kenzie Dahl, 16 points from Josie Peterson, 11 points from Faith Lilly, and 10 points from Jade Reese.
The effort for the Thunderducks (10-11) was sparked by Sanaa Darensberg and Aspen Hicks with 12 points apiece, along with 10 from Mahagony Jackson-Walker.
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#5 Fulton-Montgomery 76, #12 Rowan College South Jersey 50
The most lopsided victory Wednesday belonged to the No. 5 seed Fulton-Montgomery Community College Lady Raiders in their 76-50 triumph over the No. 12 seed Rowan College South Jersey-Gloucester Roadrunners.
Fulton-Montgomery – from Johnstown, New York – sprinted out to a 20-13 lead over Rowan – from Sewell, New Jersey – after one period, and the cushion expanded to 44-20 at halftime, and stood at 57-34 heading to the fourth quarter.
The victorious Lady Raiders (23-3) were fueled by a double-double of 22 points and 15 rebounds from Kieonna Christmas, 21 points from Hailey Monroe, 15 points from Shiasia Williams, and 10 points from Cloey Dopp.
The Roadrunners (21-7) were led by Alaina LaMonica’s 11 points, while Shannon Pierman and Hadley Rodriguez both chipped in nine points.
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Thursday’s Tournament Schedule
#12 Rowan College South Jersey vs. # 9 Bronx Community College, 10 a.m.
#1 Minnesota West Community & Tech vs. #8 Onondaga, Noon
#4 Monroe University-Bronx vs. #5 Fulton-Montgomery, 2 p.m.
#2 Anoka-Ramsey vs. #7 Owens, 4 p.m.
#3 Community College of Rhode Island vs. #6 Northland Community & Tech, 6 p.m.