Richland Women's Basketball Falls in National Consolation

BROWNWOOD, Texas – Dallas College Richland women's basketball team made a late push before falling 69-62 to Jefferson Community College Friday in the consolation round of the National Junior College Athletic Association Division III Tournament at the Brownwood Coliseum.

The Thunderducks (10-12) were making their first appearance in the national tournament in program history.

Rchland trailed by 15 entering the fourth quarter, but outscored Jefferson 20-12 in the final period. Skylar Johnson knocked down a jump shot with 5:55 to play to cut the gap to 59-53. Kristen Thomas sank two free throws 48 seconds later to trim the lead to four. Sanaa Darensberg sank a pair at the free throw line with 4:03 to go to pull Richland within 60-57.

Kiana Thornton drained a three-pointer on an assist from Johnson with 2:17 remaining as the Thunderducks tied it at 60. That capped an 18-3 Richland run. But the Cannoneers (22-7) scored the next six points, taking a 66-60 lead on a pair of Abigail Bombard free throws with 40 seconds left. Darensberg scored three seconds later to make it a four-point game, but the Cannoneers held on.

Darensberg finished with 14 points, nine rebounds, five assists and two steals. Thornton had 12 points, four rebounds and three assists. Thomas had 10 points and 10 boards. Johnson had eight points, six rebounds and two steals. Bombard finished with 27 points, five rebounds, four steals and three assists, and Brooke Wiley added 10 points for the Cannoneers.

Darensberg scored seven points in the final quarter. Bombard had nine, going 7 for 8 from the free throw line.

Jefferson was 14 of 18 at the free throw line, and hit nine 3-pointers. Richland went 11 of 16 at the stripe, and made five 3s.

Richland outrebounded Jefferson 48-31. The Cannoneers scored 28 points off turnovers, while the Thunderducks was limited to five.