AUBURN - Fourth quarter pressure enabled Thomas Jefferson to pull away in the fourth quarter for a 55-47 home SPSL North girls basketball victory against Kent Meridian on Saturday, January, 16.
Leading only 43-40 early in the fourth quarter, the Raiders finally sealed the deal against the persistent Royals. Jefferson began the run with a Karen Carpenter to Uniique Taufa'asau goal. Hannah Kiyohara followed by draining a three-pointer. Kiyohara later notched a lay up after a Raider steal to put TJ in command at 50-40 with 2:07 showing on the scoreboard clock.
Being fouled often down the stretch, Kiyohara converted 5-of-7 charity tosses to hold off Kent Meridian.
"Every win is a big win," declared Jefferson head coach Jerry Krueger. "On paper, Kent Meridian is undermanned, but they made some super shots. Karen Carpenter did a nice defensive job on their leading scorer (Brianna) Shannon. Shannon has been scoring in the 20's and even had some games in the 30's. To make the playoffs we have to keep winning against the teams that are ahead of us."
Fifth place Auburn (5-5) and fourth place Kentlake (6-3) are the teams that are immediately in Jefferson's horizon. TJ is currently at 4-6 and 7-7.
In a mostly half court style of game, Jefferson emerged with a 13-11 first quarter lead. Taufa'asau kept attacking the basket and benefitted form Carpenter assists to hold the Raiders in the lead for most of the way.
"Our aim was winning and we executed better in the fourth quarter," said Kiyohara.
Kiyohara executed for a total of 17 points.
Kent-Meridian trailed by as much as six points, but held brief leads of 4-0, 25-24 and 27-26 before TJ assumed a 28-27 halftime edge.
Kiyohara fired in one of her game high four three-pointers to extend the Raider lead to 41-37 after three quarters. Taufa'asau converted two free throws to start the fourth quarter, but the Royals fought back within 43-40 to set the table for the final stretch.
"We just kept communicating with each other," said Taufa'asau, who led all scorers with 14 first half points and 24 game points. "They're also aggressive."
Shannon (15) and Holder (13) led the Kent Meridian scoring.
