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The Rice Raiders are off to a fantastic start this season and now they have a tournament championship to add to their early momentum.
The Raiders won four out of their five games to win the championship in the last game over Flatonia.
The Raiders started things off with a 42-40 win to get things started before taking on Fayetteville. The Raiders jumped all over Fayetteville in their second game of the tournament and pressured them heavily defensively.
Fayetteville was up to the challenge though and did not back down from the Raiders. Fayetteville stayed in the Raiders back pocket all game long keeping the score close at all times.
The Raiders were able to get on track again in the fourth and were able to close out the game with a score of 79-69 because of it.
Next on their schedule was a game against the Port Aransas Marlins and they handed the Raiders their first loss on the tournament by a score of 55-34. The Raiders struggled on offense to knock down shots in game number three of the tournament.
The Marlins took the game right to the Raiders and halted any momentum that was built in the first two games. They took full advantage of the Raiders defense and built a lead that they sustained until the end of the game.
Coming off the loss the Raiders were ready to get back in action and took on the Victoria Home School Gators in their next match up. Knowing they needed a win to get into the championship game the Raiders came out firing on all cylinders and their offense ran away with the game early.
The Raiders’ offense was able to find their rhythm again in the third game and put up 77 points on their way to a 77-33 win over the Gators.
In the Championship game it was much of the same from the Raiders as their offense completely took over the game. Early on it was evident the Raiders were feeling good about their offense and just rode that momentum all the way until they defeated Flatonia 72-50.
This sets them up to head into their district schedule on Friday, Dec. 15 when they take on Hallettsville on the road.
