Lady Raiders fall to Brentwood in Rockvale Exposure

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On Saturday, the Lady Raiders lost just their second game of the season after a double overtime battle with Brentwood.

It was an even match in the first quarter as both teams were knotted at 11 points after the first eight minutes.

The Lady Bruins would take the lead briefly in the second, but the Lady Raiders climbed back with two three pointers from Ella Arnold to take their turn in front. 

However the score remained tied at halftime, 20-20.

Brentwood edged ahead in the third quarter, outscoring Coffee 22-16 to take a 42-36 lead into the fourth. 

The Lady Raiders came back fighting in the fourth, and Natalie Barnes hit a three to give Coffee the lead, 47-45 with two minutes to go.

Brentwood would tie it at 47-47, then the Lady Raiders held the ball for more than a minute before attempting a shot that hit iron, sending the game into overtime.

In the first overtime, no team could break through for a score, and the game remained tied at 47-47.

Both teams traded a bucket early in the second overtime period, but Brentwood scored seven unanswered points to edge ahead 56-49. 

The Red Raiders would hit a three to make it 56-52 with 19 seconds left, but it wouldn’t be enough as Brentwood held on to win, 59-52.

“You have to tip your hat to Brentwood,” said Coach Joe Pat Cope, “They made 11 three pointers in that game and had an extra gear that we didn’t have today. We’re still a young team, and I think it showed with the mistakes we made late in the game, but you have to get over it and get better.”

Scoring for the Lady Raiders were Olivia Vinson with 16 points, Natalie Barnes with 15 points, Ella Arnold and Ava McIntosh with six points each, Jules Ferrell with five points and Audri Patton with four points.

The Lady Raiders suffer just their second loss of the season, falling to 12-2.

Both Coffee County basketball teams will have a big slate of games over Christmas Break, with the Lady Raiders taking part in the Tullahoma Christmas Classic on Thursday and Friday, Dec. 21-22 before taking part in the Lenoir City Christmas from Dec. 27-30.

“We’re going to play some good teams in these tournaments,” said Cope. “It will be a great opportunity for these younger players to gain experience.”