It all came down to physicality -- a style of play that the Roadrunner Women's Basketball team performed perfectly in a dramatic 68-65 win over host Northampton Community College Tuesday night.
The No. 15 nationally ranked Runners outlasted the No. 8 Spartans by changing strategies in the second half -- and the switch proved to be a game changer.
Northampton controlled most of the first half, building a slim 38-35 lead thanks to solid shooting from guard Shanaiya Ellis and forward Kania Day, each of whom finished with 18 points.
But the Runners quickly turned the tables at the start of the second half, ramping up the defensive pressure, forcing turnovers, and then converting the turnovers into game-winning points.
"We got exactly the type of game we expected because Northampton is a great team," said Runners' Coach Rich Cooper. "And truth be told, this is exactly the kind of battle we needed to prove that we could win big games like this."
It proved to be the little things that mattered in the second half as the Runners outscored Northampton by a 32-27 count.
RCSJ guard Destiny Hines scored just one point, but she came up huge on the defensive end in defending the Spartan sharpshooters effectively before fouling out. Aaliyah Bateman also took a charging foul as the clock was winding down to force a key turnover.
In addition, with 8 seconds remaining, forward Maxine Ampofo connected on a basket and a successful free throw to give the Runners a 68-65 lead. The Spartans quickly marched downcourt and launched an unsuccessful three-point attempt to close out the final outcome.
"Our defense plus Max's basket and free throw put Northampton in a tough spot and changed their strategy in the final seconds," said Cooper. "We were able to stop their three point attempt at the end."
The Roadrunner offense overall hung tough as Jonaysia Clark (20 points), Debra Beecher (14) and Jermyra Bethea (13) led the way.
The win was the 15th straight for RCSJ as the Runners improved to 15-2 overall. The win came over a highly regarded Region 19 opponent, and that fact was not lost on Cooper.
"We will possibly see them again in the tournament, and we would expect the same type of game," he commented.
Next up is another tough Region 19 and GSAC rival in Camden County College as the Cougars visit RCSJ Thursday afternoon in a 5 pm tipoff.