CASPER, Wyo. — For the second time in the last four seasons, Northwest Florida State ended the Three Rivers College women's basketball team's season at the NJCAA Division I national tournament.

The Lady Raiders fell into an early hole and never could recover as they fell 69-55 to third-seeded NWF in the quarterfinal round of the national tournament.

With the loss, the 11th-seeded Lady Raiders end their season with a record of 29-5.

Much as the Lady Raiders used a strong defense to stop Shelton State in Thursday's second-round contest, NWF used a stifling defense to turn back TRC in the quarterfinals.

The Floridians held Three Rivers to just 30.5% shooting from the field (18-for-59), including 3-for-19 behind the 3-point line. NWF also held the Lady Raiders' starters to just 12 points and 16% shooting (5-for-31), including 0-for-11 behind the arc.

Three Rivers trailed NWF 19-9 after the opening period, but played mostly even with the Florida school in the middle two quarters, trailing 36-27 at the intermission and 44-33 going to the final period. However, the Lady Raiders could not get over the hump in the final 10 minutes as their season ended.

Jasmine Davis led the Lady Raiders with 15 points off the bench, while Kiera Neal added 10 and Kaleigh Thompson added eight. Davis also had six rebounds to pace TRC.

Destiney McPhaul led NWF with 18 points, while Deborah Davenport had 14 anf Nevaeh Scott finished with 10. McPhaul also had seven rebounds, while Davenport added three steals and blocked three shots.

NWF will play Wabash Valley Saturday in the semifinals of the national tournament.

Notes: NWF outrebounded the Lady Raiders 34-31 Friday night. … Three Rivers won the turnover battle with the Floridians 17-14, but NWF had more points off of turnovers, 16-12.

Mike Buhler - Daily American Republic