From the Three Rivers Sports News Office

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. - The only thing better than snapping a four-game Region XVI losing streak is getting a little payback in the process.

Just ask the Three Rivers Lady Raiders, who snapped a four-game regional losing streak by routing the Moberly Area Lady Greyhounds 84-54 Saturday evening (Jan. 29) at the Bess Activity Center. Saturday’s win avenged a 75-63 loss to the Lady Greyhounds two weeks earlier.

“Big win. Redemption. Any other word you want to stick in there,” Three Rivers coach Jeff Walk said. “All of these region games are must-wins but we needed to get this one.”

This time around, the Lady Raiders (14-10, 2-5 XVI) took the lead just a few minutes in and never looked back, steadily pulling away. Ashlee Taylor’s three-point play with 14:43 left in the first half gave the Three Rivers a 7-6 lead - a lead 3R never relinquished.

Taylor’s presence was a big factor Saturday, as the sophomore was limited by injury in the first match at Moberly 2 weeks ago This time, she scored a game-high 25 points.

“When we went up there we were shorthanded,” said Walk. “Tonight they were shorthanded. We’re getting healthy at the right time and starting to play better.”

The Lady ‘Hounds rallied, using a 6-0 run midway through the first half to pull within one point (13-12) but Brooke Godsey’s basket near the 8-minute mark stopped the run and sparked a Three Rivers spurt. Whitney Mills’ bucket with 6:20 left in the half made it a 19-12 game, and the Lady Raiders led 37-24 at the break.

Three Rivers pushed the lead over 20 points early in the second half, and Moriah Goodrum’s free throw with 7:22 to go made it a 69-39 lead.

“Our defensive intensity for the entire game was just taking a toll on them,” Walk said.

Joining Taylor in double figures for the Lady Raiders were Godsey with 18 points and Lacy Staten with 14. Three Rivers is back in action Wednesday when it travels to Jefferson for another key Region XVI contest.

Photo above Dexter's Ashlee Taylor goes up for a shot during Three Rivers' Lady Raiders game against Moberly on Jan. 29. (Three Rivers College Sports photo)