In the beginning of the third quarter of Friday's home game against the Trinity Valley Cardinals leading 37-36, the Three Rivers College Lady Raiders opened the quarter on a 17-2 run with a multiple Raiders knocking down 3-point shots, including freshman Amelia Corasaniti, Samyah Jordan, and Kiera Neal, en route to a 72-66 victory.

"It was great to have a tough game," Corasaniti said. "I love the tough games, so it was really good to get another win."

The game began with the first shot coming from Jordan on a layup, which was followed by three consecutive shots from Trinity Valley as they took a 7-2 lead. Jordan, however, answered back when she made a 3-pointer to get her team back within two points.

Shots continued to be exchanged with the Cardinals going on a 5-0 run to close out the quarter with the final shot coming from 3-point range from sophomore guard Jaliyah McWain as the Cardinals led 20-18.

The second quarter began with Raiders sophomore guard Da'Naya Ross launching a shot from 3-point range putting her team back up by one. Corasaniti got in on the action when she added a 3-pointer shortly after.

"I think we just went through the offense really well," Corasaniti said. "We looked like we worked as a team and if we just facilitate the ball, then everyone is going to get the right looks on offense."

Both teams continued to keep in close as the Raiders took a 37-36 lead into halftime.

"I kind of challenged them at halftime, because I didn't feel like we were playing with toughness," said Raiders head coach Alex Wiggs. "I didn't feel like we were tough enough in the first half, but we were up by one. I thought that first quarter we came out and got hot and made shots because it was in the flow of our offense."

The third quarter began with the Raiders offense erupting with a 17-2 run with two 3-point shots from Neal, a 3-pointer from Corasaniti, and Jordan making a 3-point shot as well.

"Anytime you go on a 17-2 run, it's a good night," Wiggs said. "I like our chances whenever you can go on a 17-2 run. Our defense led to that. We got stops, we pushed on transition, and we got wide open shots. We have a lot of shot makers. We did a good job of attacking."

Raiders sophomore guard Tristan Spearman make back-to-back shots towards the end of the third quarter as the Raiders led 58-44 heading into the final quarter.

Ross opened the fourth quarter with a shot, which was followed by free throws from Neal. Trinity responded back with a 4-0 run. However, moments later, freshman Raider Londyn Harper made a 3-point shot putting her team up 65-51.

The Cardinals were determined not to go down without a fight as McWain made two free throws and a 3-point shot cutting the Raiders lead back into single digits. The Raiders responded with back-to-back shots from Corasaniti and Neal going back up 69-58.

The Raiders ultimately closed out the game earning their third win of the season.

"Anytime you get a win against Trinity Valley, it's a good day," Wiggs said. "They're very well coached, very disciplined, very hard-nosed team. They play so hard. I'm really proud of my girls though."

The Raiders won't rest for long as they will return to the court Saturday at home at 3 p.m. against the 1-2 Itawamba Lady Indians.

"We got the win, so we just got to lock in and scout tomorrow and be ready for the next game," Corasaniti said. "We have a win and we've got to go win another one tomorrow."

Alex Martin - Daily American Republic