Raptors Beat Cardinals: Move To The Region 20 Semi-Finals

Columbia, MD: In the quarterfinals of the NJCAA Region 20 Divison II Women's Basketball Tournament, the #6 seed Montgomery College Raptors defeated the #3 seed CCBC Catonsville Cardinals in a dominant defeat.

The Raptors started strong with a knockdown 3-pointer from the sharp shooter Litzy Lujan-Gonzales after Raptors got the ball from tipoff. A possession after Tiana Carey made a layup, adding to the Raptors' lead with the Cardinals yet to score. The Cardinals got their first points on the board after close to 5 minutes to start the game. The Raptors kept the lead with Tiana Carey kocking down free throw shots. Despite the free throw shots made by Cardinal Serefina Stubbs, the Raptors kept that strong driving force and continued adding to their lead with additional points from Tiana Carey and Yaheera Williams. Sanai Massenburg drained a 3 pointer with a little over 2 minutes in the first quarter, and the Raptors led by 2 at the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, the Cardinals were able to tie up the game, but a free throw shot from Tiana Carey was able to put the Raptors back in the lead. Raptors were still holding the lead with a knockdown 3-pointer from Janet Egelebo and Promise Whitmore. The Raptors end the first half leading 32-19.

Coming out for the second half, the Raptors were in a scoring drought for about 4 minutes, but despite this, they were still playing strong defense, contesting shots and getting rebounds. The Raptors were able to get out of the drought with Janet Egelebo making her free throw shot. 2 mid range shots from Tiana Carey and a layup from Yaheera Williams resulted in the Raptors ending the 3rd quarter still leading 40-32. 

Starting the 4th quarter, tensions were high but the Raptors were able to keep a cool head. The Raptors still showing signs of not giving up, were able to quickly reestablish the lead they had all game with a shot from Sanai Massenburg and Kennedy Clifton. Maleyah Bell got fouled and went two for two in her trip to the free throw line which brought the Cardinals into a 3-point reach. The Raptors responded again with a deep three from Lujan-Gonzales to put the Raptors back to 8 and the heavily contested 3-pointer from Tiana Carey solidified the Raptors win for the night.

With a final score of 52-45 the Raptors move to the semifinals on Friday.