Robert Klawitter – The Corsair
The PJC Lady Pirates showed they’re not ready to go home yet, pulling out a narrow 56-52 victory over Southern Conference Champion Indian River State College (21-5) in the first round of the FCAAA/NJCAA Region VIII State Championship at Chipola College in Marianna.
PJC (24-5) came to life after halftime starting the second half on an 8-0 run while increasing the tempo of the game and spreading the floor on offense.
“They were in a sagging defense and we kept forcing it into the paint off the dribble or to our post players in the first half,” Head Coach Chanda Rigby said. “We knew we had to score more in transition or extend their defense by getting the ball out to the corners in the second half.”
PJC increased the lead to 10 during a 22-8 run, going up 41-31 with 12:30 left in the game. During the run PJC’s smothering defense held Indian River to only nine points in the first 10 minutes of the second half.
“The first play of the second half they ran a same play they scored off of several times against us and Deana Allen jumped up and caught it in the air,” Rigby said. “I knew that would set the tempo. They were going to play harder.”
Freshman guard Jessica Merritt led the Lady Pirates offensively, scoring a game high 22 points while shooting 7 of 19 from the field and 8 of 10 from the line. Freshman guard Meghan Perkins chipped in with 14 points and 7 rebounds. Merritt and Perkins helped offset the lack of production from sophomore team captain Deana Allen while she battled through foul trouble. Allen was pulled with four fouls just 6 minutes into the second half.
Rebounding was the difference in the game, leading to second chance shots for PJC while they shot 27 percent for the game. Freshman forward Karneshia Garrett led the Lady Pirates with 6 offensive boards, with 13 total rebounds while PJC outrebounded Indian River 57-32.
In the second half, “we started rebounding well and attacking the basket,” Assistant Coach Tanisha Rogers said.
“The main thing that kept us going was that we didn’t get down on each other. Instead, we came together,” Allen said. “Good teamwork and not blaming each other helped us out in the second half.”
The Lady Pirates shot a dismal 14 percent from the field in the first half, hitting only 5 of 35 and missing all 11 shots from beyond the 3-point line.
“I gave them a few little adjustments at halftime, but basically it was them. They did not want to go home after one game,” Rigby said. “Their determination led to them playing better in the second half.”
PJC advances to the second round, and will face Panhandle Conference rival Tallahassee Community College at 3 p.m. March 5. PJC won the series 2-1 against Tallahassee in the regular season.
“It’s going to be tough. Tallahassee played great; we watched them play before our game, and they played hard,” Rogers said. “It’s going to be another battle between Panhandle teams.”