Cougars Bounce Back from Loss to Split at MC Tournament

The Frederick CC Cougars women's basketball team had an eventful weekend as they participated in the Montgomery College Tip-off Tournament. The Cougars faced tough competition in their two games, with contrasting outcomes.

On Saturday, the Cougars clashed with the Monroe College Mustangs from Brooklyn, NY. The game got off to a challenging start for FCC, as they were outscored 19-7 in the first quarter, putting them in an early 12-point deficit. The team faced an uphill battle, but they were determined to fight back into the game. 

Amelia Robins played a pivotal role, playing the entire game, contributing 12 points, six steals, and five rebounds. Paige Smith, another standout performer, also played the entire game and was the game's leading with 34 points, adding two assists and shooting an impressive 50% from beyond the arc. Breonah Lawyer, coming off the bench, added 6 points along with four steals. The Cougars couldn't complete the comeback, and Monroe held on to secure a 71-64 victory.

The Cougars bounced back on Sunday, winning their first game of the season against the Northern Virginia Community College Nighthawks with a final score of 70-63. The game was evenly matched, and both teams scored 21 points each in the first quarter. The Nighthawks took a one-point lead into halftime with a score of 35-34. The teams continued to exchange baskets during the initial minutes of the third quarter, but Paige Smith's deep three-pointer sparked a crucial 15-2 run, giving the Cougars a 44-42 lead with 4:57 left in the quarter. They never relinquished that lead and secured a seven-point victory. 

Amelia Robins, again playing for the entire 40 minutes, contributed 10 points, six assists, and four rebounds. Paige Smith continued to shine with 22 points, five steals, and four rebounds. Jasmine Hardy added 12 points and four rebounds, while Kayla Dangerfield and Makayla Wright both chipped in with four points. The Cougars displayed toughness and determination in both games, rebounding from a tough loss to secure their first victory of the season. 

Next up: Sunday, November 19^th at 1 PM FCC will host Sullivan County CC.