It was a game befitting two nationally ranked teams — noted rivals meeting before an enthusiastic crowd that was topped off by a well-played game that went down to the final minute.
No. 1 Trinity Valley held off a spirited No. 17 Apache Ladies team in taking a 71-66 victory Wednesday on Leon Spencer Court.
TVCC remained unbeaten in Region XIV women's basketball with a 17-0 mark and 28-1 overall, while Tyler Junior College suffered its third straight loss to fall to 21-8 overall. Also, TJC fell to fourth place in Region XIV with an 11-6 league record.
The Apache Ladies played one of their better games in over a month, going toe to toe with TVCC.
With 1:46 on the clock in the fourth quarter, Felmas Koranga, who was doubled and sometimes tripled-team all night, hit one of two free throws to bring TJC within 67-66.
After two free throws by 6-5 Taiyanna Jackson gave the Lady Cardinals a 69-66 advantage with 1:24 showing, the Apache Ladies twice had a chance to tie. First they turned the ball over with 53 seconds showing but regained possession when TVCC knocked the ball out of bounds after a shot.
After a TJC missed shot, Te'Aire Hambrick, who grew up down the road from the TVCC campus and who had another outstanding game against the Lady Cardinals, swiped the ball back and appeared to be heading for a layup, but was fouled by Ta'Niya Jackson. However, Hambrick was ruled on the floor and the Apache Ladies took the ball out of bounds with 36.2 seconds showing.
Koranga, who scored nine points and is two points shy of 1,000 points for her career, drove to the bucket in traffic but missed the shot.
TVCC rebounded and Curtessia Dean was fouled, making both free throws for a 71-66 advantage with 25.9 seconds showing. TJC had four shots under the bucket but couldn't score and the Lady Cardinals had the win.
"Boxing out, boxing out," TJC coach Trenia Tillis Hoard said. "If we would have boxed out a few more times, we would have kept them from the second chances and the and-ones."
Tillis Hoard praised the play of Hambrick and she noted how Koranga was corralled by the Lady Cardinals. She also said Diamond Atchinson (12 points) picked up the slack as Koranga was held to nine points, but had 12 rebounds and two blocks. She was just short of her usual double-double.
Hambrick, the former all-state player from LaPoynor, had 20 points and was 5 of 9 from 3-point. She also had five rebounds and three steals.
Trinity Valley was strong inside with Asia Strong grabbing 15 rebounds and Taiyanna Jackson getting 14 boards.
Still, TVCC only outrebounded TJC, 46-41.
"My team played strong and tough," said TVCC coach Precious Ivy, a former TJC assistant. "When it comes down to the wire, they know how to put stops together and buckets together."
Tyler had 13 turnovers after committing 27 on Saturday against Kilgore. TVCC had 15 turnovers.
Dean led Trinity Valley with 22 points, followed by Ta'Niya Jackson (16) and Strong (14).
Others scoring for TJC were Nala Hemingway (9) and four points each from Gerlyn Smith, Kharisima Brown, Frankazia Boyd and Niya McGuire.
Also scoring for TVCC were Mekayla Furman (8), Taiyanna Jackson (6), Tiya Douglas (3) and Kaye Clark (2).
TJC led 37-34 at halftime.
The Apache Ladies were 13 of 16 from the free throw line and TVCC was 10 of 20.
Before the game, Trinity Valley honored sophomores Strong (South Bend, Indiana, transfer from Bradley), Jada Peacock (Dallas, transfer from Wichita State), Dean (Monroe, Louisiana), Solmilena Herrera (Dominican Republic) and Douglas (Fort Smith, Arkansas).
TVCC plays Bossier Parish at 2 p.m. Saturday in Bossier City, Louisiana.
(Story courtesy Phil Hicks/Tyler Morning Telegraph)
