Three Rivers Subdues SW Illinois
KIRKWOOD, Mo. -- Three Rivers overcame an early 13 point deficit and pulled away late for an 81-76 victory over Southwest Illinois C.C. on Sunday afternoon at the Meramec JUCO Shootout.
Three Rivers took the lead for good on a three point play by freshman power forward Milton Phinnessee. The basket and free throw broke a 46-46 deadlock with just under 12 minutes remaining, but the game was very tight the rest of the way until the Raiders made some key plays down the stretch.
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Clinging to a 67-64 lead following a three pointer by SW Illinois Marcellus Sommerville with three minutes to play, Three Rivers used an 11-3 run over the next two minutes to open up a 78-67 advantage.
Forward Travis Johnson (right) kick-started the surge with a three point play, and he was one of four different Raiders to score during the run, which was capped by a pair of free throws from point forward Ceso Sprewell.
Things looked bleak in the early going for Three Rivers, as SW Illinois jumped out to a 33-20 first half lead. The Raiders methodically chipped away at deficit, and pulled to within five at the half-time break.
Travis Johnson led Three Rivers with 16 points, and point guard Derek Tipler added 15.
The Blue Storm of SW Illinois was paced by Iowa transfer Sommerville, who netted 24 points. Troy Slaten hit 10 of 11 free throws on the way to 19 points, and 6-6 swingman Ryan Heck added 18 in the loss for the Blue Storm.
SW Illinois was without the services of 6-5 combo guard Bryant Dillon, who is out for the season with a knee injury.
Photo: Three Rivers Community College Sports Information Department