HIRAM, Ohio – December 20, 2024 – Hiram hung tough with a talented La Roche team on Friday evening, staying neck-and-neck with their opposition in what ultimately shaped out to be a 60-54 loss inside Price Gymnasium.
The Redhawks, who had already defeated the defending PAC Champions in Chatham earlier this season, rode the hot hand of Alexis Robison, in the victory. Robison went 5-7 from 3-point range and posted a game-high 21 points.
For Hiram, the senior tandem of
Brooke Hickman (17 points) and
Anastasia Lawler (13 points) spearheaded the offense. Hickman also had one block and three steals, while five other Terriers student-athletes also had a steal in the contest.
It was a game of many styles, with both teams combining for just 16 points in the second quarter before ripping off a combined 55 points in the third quarter. The timely shooting and steady defense of the Redhawks proved to be the difference in the end, although the entirety of the game had a margin of 9-or-fewer points.
The Terriers kept pace in the first quarter, leading by as many as four points and trailing by as many as five points before leveling the score at 16-16. Hickman and
Ava Mory combined for 11 of the home team's points over the first 10 minutes.
The offenses were held in check in the second quarter, with both teams having a strong defensive performance during that span. At the intermission, the score stood at 27-21 in favor of La Roche.
Then came a flurry of scoring, with the Redhawks shooting 70% (7-10) and the Terriers combining for a 56% (10-18) clip in the third quarter. The depth of the Hiram roster stood out, with five different student-athletes registering a field goal in the period. Lawler drained a pair of 3-pointers to keep Hiram within three possessions.
Hiram ended up outscoring its opposition in the fourth quarter, 11-10, but couldn't break through despite coming as close as 1 point away from evening the score. Lawler continued to apply pressure, with 7 of her 13 points coming in the final period.
The Terriers will take some time off to enjoy the holiday break before returning to the hardwood on Monday, Dec. 30 for a non-conference battle with Waynesburg. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. inside Rudy Marisa Fieldhouse in Waynesburg, PA.
