Mountain View Falls to Riverland in NJCAA Tourney Opener

ROCHESTER, Minn. – Dallas College Mountain View women's basketball team lost its opening round game at the National Junior College Athletic Association Division III Tournament Wednesday, 77-45, to No. 6 nationally-ranked Riverland (Minn.) Community College.

It was the first national tournament appearance for 15^th-ranked Mountain View (12-8). The loss snapped a four-game winning streak for the Lions.

Mountain View's Devon Sherrod scored the first basket of the game after grabbing an offensive rebound to reach the 1,000-point plateau in her career. She finished with 14 points.

Riverland (22-5) took a five-point lead in the first quarter on Reana Schmitt's layup. Sherrod sank two free throws before Kenai Holien's basket triggered a 10-0 run for the Blue Devils, who led by 13 after the first period. Sherrod made two baskets 2:24 into the second quarter to cut the deficit to nine, but Schmitt's field goal 4:45 before halftime stretched Riverland's lead to 17.

The Blue Devils, who shot 50 percent, led 45-22 at the break. Riverland outscored Mountain View, 19-4, in the third quarter to put the game away.

The Lions, who struggled from the floor, going 17 of 61, were playing without Dallas Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year Leah Jones.

Laela Harris scored 16 points, and grabbed nine rebounds for the Lions, who were outrebounded, 47-23. Asia Smith had six points, and Shaviante Cobb and Kimberly Cohen each scored four.

Riverland's Camryn McQuery had 14 points, 16 rebounds and four assists. Savannah Longhoma, Nora Mecoleta and Holien each scored 13.

Mountain View was outscored in the paint, 28-12.

The Lions will play Onondaga Community College (N.Y.) in the consolation bracket at noon Thursday. That game can be seen on the NJCAA Network and followed via Live Stats.