2/11/15 • By Zach Chriswell / zchriswell@columbustelegram.com
COLUMBUS -- The Raiders struggled early and couldn't catch up to the Storm.
The Central Community College women's basketball team defeated Southeast Community College 86-61 Wednesday at the Raider Fieldhouse.
"We didn't play very well defensively," Central head coach Mike Kroupa said. "They got a lot of easy buckets on us, especially in the first half because of that. Offensively, when we moved we were efficient, other times we just stood and watched and it killed us."
Southeast scored the game's first six points and never looked back from there.
After falling into a 35-19 hole, the Raiders scored seven quick points inside the last minute of the first half.
Those seven points, however, did nothing for the Raiders' momentum.
"I was hoping (for momentum), but it didn't happen the way we wanted it to," Kroupa said.
Central trailed 37-26 at halftime. The team focused on defense during the break, according to Kroupa.
To start the second half, Southeast went on an 11-4 run, then moments later, started what turned into a 19-0 run.
At that point, the Raiders trailed 67-32.
Central, though, went on to score 29 more points in the game.
"Some of our girls came off the bench and played hard," Kroupa said. "A good majority of our young ladies didn't quit, so I'm happy about that. But the first 10 minutes of the second half -- it was over with 10 minutes left."
Southeast outscored the Raiders 49-35 in the second half.
"When we don't force turnovers, when we don't get any breaks off their long shots, it's tough to get an offense going without being able to push it," Kroupa said.
Adrianna Beck led the Raiders with 16 points, while McKenna Rossmeier and Montrese Weller each added 11 points.
Southeast's Breanna Grant led all scorers with 22 points, shooting 9-for-10 from the floor.
"She's an excellent player," Kroupa said. "She's their leading scorer for a reason. She killed us."
Grace Green also chipped in 17 points for the Storm on a perfect 7-for-7 shooting night.
Central travels to Iowa Western Saturday.
Wednesday at the Raider Fieldhouse
Southeast 37 49 - 86
Central (14-11) 26 35 - 61
* SOUTHEAST (field goals-free throws-fouls-points) - Siearra Friedly 2 0-0 0 4; Shanae Collins 0 1-3 1 1; Makayla McDaniel 3 0-0 1 8; Chelseah Savage 2 0-0 1 8; Breanna Grant 9 4-4 0 22; Grace Green 7 0-0 0 17; Dionne Martin 2 0-0 1 5; Kenae Merritt 3 2-2 1 10; Hannah Roberts 1 0-0 2 2; Erin Saathoff 0 0-0 2 0; Jamaica Wilson 1 0-0 1 2; Veshae Wilkinson 4 2-2 2 10. Totals 34 9-11 13 86.
* CENTRAL - Adrianna Beck 6 3-4 2 16; Paige Muhammad 1 2-2 1 4; Precious Bell 1 0-0 0 3; Kelsey Flaherty 0 0-0 1 0; Lana'e Washington-Carson 4 0-0 1 8; Shananthia Bryant 0 0-0 2 0; McKenna Rossmeier 4 0-0 2 11; Montrese Weller 3 3-4 2 11; Makayla Augustine 4 0-4 2 8. Totals 23 8-14 13 61.
* 3-point field goals - Southeast 9 (Green 3, Merritt 2, McDaniel 2, Savage 1, Martin 1), Central 7 (Rossmeier 3, Weller 2, Bell 1, Beck 1).