After a close battle in their previous game, where they lost 68-60 against Wabash Valley, the Three Rivers College Raiders returned home Saturday to face Southern Arkansas University Tech getting themselves back in the win column with a 82-72 victory.
"It's always good to get in the win column, because you only two columns, win and loss," said Raiders head coach Robert Kirby. "Fortunately, the guys were able to come back in the second half, and play more like we practiced for this game, and come out with a victory."
The game opened with SAU Tech freshman Christopher Dreike Okenve making the first shot of the game, which was followed shortly after by a basket from Raiders sophomore Matt Hampton.
Raiders sophomore guard Davin Francis came alive on the offensive end of the floor making back-to-back 3-point shots. Soon after, SAU Tech sophomore Ja'Varius Thompson made back-to-back 3-pointers continuing to responded and keep themselves within striking distance.
Raiders freshman guard Myles Jones came off a bench where he was able to connect for a 3-point shot, which allowed more Raiders to get in an offensive rhythm with Tristan Fleming making a 3-point shot, along with a layup from Johann Pautsch, and a turn around fade away jump shot from Antonio Williams.
As the first half was winding down, SAU Tech made two big baskets back-to-back from Makale Guy and Preston Sanders, but the Raiders were able to close out the half, leading by three points, with the final shot of the half coming from Fleming as the Raiders led 45-42 at halftime.
"We weren't playing to how good we know we can be and how good we practice every day," Jones said. "We knew when we came out, we had to come out with energy, and go as hard as we can."
Davin Francis was able to open the third quarter with a 3-pointer. Soon after Francis' 3-point shot, the Three Rivers crowd got to their feet when Pautsch got the ball and came away with a slam dunk.
"He's been really taking his time, and working at getting extra work in," Kirby said of Pautsch. "He's learning to take his time, and not rush, and not overthink things. Johann is one of those guys that you love to have on your team, but he tends to overthink everything sometimes. Tonight was one of those nights where he slowed down and kept himself calm."
Not long after Pautsch's dunk, the Raiders continued to make shots, getting contributions from multiple players, including Hampton, Williams, Fleming, and Jones who came away with a 3-pointer and a mid-range shot late in the game.
"I was just trying to do what I need to do," Jones said. "I'm one of the younger guys, so all the older guys they know what they need to do. They went last year and did it. Whatever they need me to do, I'm going to go out there and do it. That's just how the game goes."
The Raiders were able to close out the game with their final two buckets coming from Pautsch as they won by 10 points. They return to action Thanksgiving night at home as East Mississippi Community College will be coming to town.
"It's very important," Jones added. "We've got to come in and work every day. Make sure we can get wins, finish the stretch strong, and go into the break feeling good."
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