Gainesville, FL- Leyah Houston scored 13 points as Camryn Robinson and Shakiria Chaney each added 12 points, but the Saints still fell to the #1 undefeated team in the nation Northwest Florida State College this afternoon to wrap up the Best Western Classic II.  The Raiders were led by Celia Riviere's 19 points and Destiney McPhaul who added 15.

How It Happened:

The Raiders won the opening tip giving them first possession of the ball.  After making their first basket, they immediately went into a full court press defense and forced the Saints to turn the ball over twice (back to back).  The Saints fought back by creating turnovers of their own, which lead to a fast break basket by Aissatou Diallo and another basket by Irene Kabassubabbo assisted by Camryn Robinson.  Carmryn Robinson also hit a 2 point basket putting the Saints up early in the opening period (8-7).  With 4:27 left in the first quarter, the game was knotted at 11-11.  Destiney McPhaul went on a 8 point scoring frenzy by hitting 2 triples and a 2 point basket off of a steal.  By the end of the quarter, the Raiders had taken an 11 point lead (13-24).

Leyah Houston opened the second quarter by scoring a 2 point basket on a foul by the Raiders.  She would go on to make the free throw.  For most of the second quarter, both teams traded baskets fairly evenly.  After a timeout was called by the Raiders, they returned and began the type blinding blitz that's expected from a #1 ranked team in the nation by generating offense from tough defense.  After hitting a triple at the buzzer, the Raiders were able to stretch their lead to 28-44.

The Saints came out strong in the second half by forcing a steal and getting fouled on the shot attempt.  Shakiria Chaney capitalized on this effort by making both free throws.  After being down 26 points (30-56), the Saints wento on an 8 point run putting the score at 38-56.  The Raiders held on and still were able to grow their lead over the Saints (44-66).  Early in the fourth quarter Camryn Robinson hit a triple caping off a 9-4 run by the Saints.  Later, Celia Riviere rolled off of her defender to catch an in-bound pass scoring the basket, helping to end the run for the Raiders.  This play seemed to help restore the rythym for the Raiders and helped them then cruz on to a lop-sided victory over the Saints.

Comments From Coach Jackson:

"In order to be a team that is capable of competing in the region we must play the best teams in the region.  For the last two nights we have faced teams that have a chance to win the region championship.  We now are able to see what we need to work on and get better at for March."

Up Next: The Saints will face Miami Dade College Saturday January 6th @2pm in Miami.