11-14-14  • By Zach Chriswell / zchriswell@columbustelegram.com

COLUMBUS -- It wasn't one of the Raiders' better games.

In fact, Central Community College head coach Mike Kroupa knows exactly where the game got away in an 84-83 loss to the Midland JV Friday at the Raider Fieldhouse.

"We didn't play defense very well," he said. "Our defense was the worst it's been all year."

The Raiders allowed the Warriors to shoot 50 percent from 3-point range, as Midland hit 13 3-pointers on the night.

"We could have hedged on the screens, we could have communicated better, we could have got in their face better," Kroupa said. "There was a lot of things we should have done better."

Still, the game came down to a final shot at the buzzer.

With the game tied at 82, Central's Adrianna Beck hit one of two free throws to put the Raiders up 83-82.

Seconds later, a Central foul sent Midland to the free throw line, where the Warriors hit both free throws for a one-point lead.

With 10.3 seconds remaining, Paige Muhammad dribbled upcourt and found Montrese Weller, who missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

Weller finished the game just 1-for-11 from the floor with six points.

With a Midland 38-36 lead in the first half, Central went on an 8-0 run to close the first half and led 44-38 at the break.

"We felt we could have played better," Kroupa said of the first half. "I know we could have played better and it was just an average, 'Alright, let's get this next half.' I told them that (Midland) hit eight threes and we had to improve on defense, but they shouldn't hit that again. But we didn't improve enough, that's for sure."

Central's largest lead came early in the second half, when the Raiders held a 51-39 advantage.

Offensively, the Raiders had four players in double figures. Beck and McKenna Rossmeier each tallied 17 points, while LaShonda Brewer scored 14, and Muhammad added 12 points.

"It's important because it keeps everyone moving better," Kroupa said. "It keeps us, as an offense and a team, just playing together. If a kid has an off night, it means somebody else can step up. Offense wasn't our issue. We made a couple mistakes, but for the most part, it goes back to defense again."

Midland's Mandi Uecker had a game-high 21 points and hit five of her six 3-point attempts. Marquel Harlan and Nya Pal each chipped in 15 points in the winning effort.

Central hosts Cloud County Community College Monday.

Friday at the Raider Fieldhouse

Midland JV 38 46 - 84

Central (4-2) 44 39 - 83

* MIDLAND JV (field goals-free throws-fouls-points) - Miranda Paul 2 2-2 1 8; Mandi Uecker 7 2-4 5 21; Marquel Harlan 5 2-2 1 15; Shelby Ostrand 1 0-0 0 3; Paige Erickson 2 2-2 4 6; Molly Milbrandt 2 2-2 3 8; Sarah Rowe 4 0-0 3 8; Nya Pal 7 1-3 4 15. Totals 30 11-15 21 84.

* CENTRAL - Adrianna Beck 5 5-6 2 17; Paige Muhammad 3 5-6 2 12; Kelsey Faherty 2 0-0 0 5; Paige Higginbotham 0 1-2 0 1; Lana'e Washington-Carson 3 0-2 1 7; Shananthia Bryant 1 2-2 4 4; McKenna Rossmeier 7 2-3 2 17; Montrese Weller 1 4-6 1 6; LaShonda Brewer 6 2-3 4 14. Totals 28 21-30 16 83.

* 3-point field goals - Midland 13 (Uecker 5, Harlan 3, Paul 2, Milbrant 2, Ostrand 1), Central 6 (Beck 2, Muhammad 1, Faherty 1, Washington-Carson 1, Rossmeier 1).