Sports
RedStorm Notch First Conference Win Against Lindsey Wilson
By: McKennah Robinson
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It was an exciting Saturday afternoon in Newt Oliver Arena for the women’s basketball team. The RedStorm pulled its first Mid-South Conference win against Lindsey Wilson with a final score of 90-83. The win gave Lindsey Wilson its first loss of the season as well.
The first half was a battle, with the lead going back and forth in between the two teams. However, with a little over 1:30 left in the half, Lindsey Wilson held its largest lead at 43-32. But just before halftime, the RedStorm pulled out a 7-0 run that was finalized by a three-point play by freshman Sharday Baines. The run put Rio Grande just four points behind at the half, at 45-41.
Coming into the second half, Rio Grande brought out a much more dynamic mindset to drive them into their victory. Within the first 30 seconds of play in the half, Lindsey Wilson’s Chanel Roberts was called for a technical foul, which changed the pace of the game and ultimately put the ball back in Rio’s favor.
At the 17:31 mark in the second half, the RedStorm took the lead and held it for roughly 14 minutes, until the Blue Raiders tied the score at 81 with a little over three minutes left. However, Rio Grande prevailed and had a 9-2 run to finish the game to earn the victory.
The RedStorm shot 52 percent from the field, and also hit six of their 11 3-point shot attempts, as well as 18-of-23 free throws. Rio also outrebounded Lindsey Wilson, 40-31.
Lindsey Wilson shot 48 percent from the field. The Blue Raiders also shot 37 percent from beyond the arc and 78 percent from the foul line.
The whole team put up impressive numbers and played a strong game, but Rio Grande’s leaders were once again sophomore Sarah Bonar, junior Brianna Thomas and freshman Brooke Marcum. Bonar put her scoring drought to rest, notching 27 points along with four rebounds and four assists.
Thomas attributed 25 points, grabbing four steals, six assists and five rebounds along the way. Marcum held the game high 10 rebounds for the RedStorm.
“We have a saying on the board,” Rio Grande head coach David Smalley said. “It says ‘Rio was picked 10 out of 10 teams. Prove them wrong.’ That’s our motto.”
Rio Grande returns to action next Wednesday, as it hits the road for the first time this season to take on Wilberforce University. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m.