Staff Report
LYNNVILLE — Two slow quarters was ultimately the difference as Richland dealt Community a 40-26 non-district loss on Tuesday night.
Throughout the first quarter, the two teams nearly mirrored each other’s output on the offensive end of the court.
Richland’s Shelby Higgins did the bulk of her work by battling in the paint and working her way to the line.
Higgins scored six points in the opening quarter and connected on 4-of-5 free throw attempts in the period.
Community nearly matched the Lady Raiders’ production with 10 points, including treys by Anna Haskins and Taylar Wessner.
Both squads’ offense slowed in the second period, with Community only managing one field goal in the period by Alyssa White.
Still, Richland’s lead was only six points at the half.
In the third quarter, it was White who worked her way to the line, but connected on 3-of-6 attempts at the charity stripe.
Haskins added five points, including a 3-pointer, while Jayla Mangrum also hit a triple.
By the end of the third, Community cut Richland’s lead to just three points.
But after making a run at the Richland lead, the home team closed the game on a 15-3 run, with Community’s only basket coming from Haskins in the fourth.
Haskins led the Viqueens with 11 points, while Higgins posted a game-high 14 points.
Community looks to bounce back on Thursday night at Central Magnet.
Community 10 2 11 3 — 26
Richland 12 6 7 15 — 40
Community: Anna Haskins 11, Alyssa White 5, Taylar Wessner 5, Jayla Mangrum 3, Kathryn Sego 2.
Richland: Shelby Higgins 14, Bailey Blair 11, Katelyn Bass 9, Mary Avery McNeese 4, AC Hewitt 2.
3-Point goals: Community (5): Haskins 3, Mangrum, Wessner; Richland (2): Bass, Blair.
Halftime score: Richland 18, Community 12.
