In a match up of the top two Region 16 teams, free throws at the end decided the victory and the Archers did not flinch in crunch time, prevailing with a 75-73 victory over North Central Missouri. North Central Missouri, who entered the game also at 3-0 in Region 16 play and were receiving voted in the latest NJCAA division 2 poll, overcame a sluggish first quarter to take a 73-72 lead with under a minute to play, but the Lady Archers got the ball to the post and freshmen forward Chrishana Wilson responded. Wilson, who had a team high 28 points, a game high 23 rebounds and a team high 3 steals, was fouled underneath the basket with 23.6 seconds remaining and calmly netted both free throws to give the Lady Archers the lead for good. Wilson hit the first of two free throws with 6.2 seconds left to extend the lead to 75-73 and the defense did not give the Pirates a look at the basket as the final horn sounded.
The Archers jumped out to a 20-9 lead after one quarter of play behind Wilson and sophomore Shamiah Oliver, who scored 20 points and also dished out 4 assists. Freshman guard Ellisha Davis added 13 points and 4 assists to help keep the Lady Archers undeafted in Region 16 play at 3-0, while also moving to 13-8 on the season.
STLCC returns to action on Wednesday, on the Forest Park campus, for an MCCAC match-up with Three Rivers Community College at 5:00 pm.