Washington, PA - The Lady Redhawks swooped in and took home the Springhill Suites Tip-Off Tournament Championship.
To start the game for La Roche was Makayla Abram, Danajah Sanders, Machia Hairston, Ayanna Mazyck, and Shaundrea Butler.
For the President's, Sarah Berardelli, Kamryn Lach, Aleena McDaniel, Piper Morningstar, and Maghan Dryburgh started the game.
First Period
Hairston got the Redhawks started off with a made layup assisted by Mazyck.
Mazyck then hit a three-point field goal of her own, assisted by Butler. This gave LRU a quick 5-0 lead.
Abram got in on the action with an offensive rebound that she put right back up in the bucket. The Redhawks now had a 7-0 lead.
Washington and Jefferson got on the board with 7:16 left in the first quarter. A layup from Berardelli made the score 7-2, in favor of La Roche.
A three point shot put up by Koeck for W&J closed the gap (7-5), the Redhawks were now only up by two.
Hairston pushed the lead back up to four points with a made layup off an offensive rebound (11-7).
With 2:54 remaining Danajah Sanders sank a three point shot, increasing the lead for LRU to seven points.
Abram went to the line, the next to score she hit both of her free throw shots (16-9, LRU).
To end the quarter Sanders hit another three-point field goal. The score at the end of the quarter 19-9, in favor of La Roche.
Second Period
To start the second period off Mazyck made a layup (21-9), assisted by Alexis Robinson.
Alex Robinson herself decided to put herself on the board and a three point shot fell her way, assisted by Butler (24-11).
Sanders reentered the game and in the next possession grabbed an offensive rebound which she put right back up for a put-back layup.
Sanders, on a roll, goes for a steal, right out of a W&J timeout. She succeeds and passes it to Mazyck who sinks a three point shot for the Redhawks (29-11).
LRU took this lead and took the chance to slow down, and really play their game.
At the end of the half, La Roche had maintained a 10 point lead. The score entering the second half of the game was 34-24, in favor of LRU.
Third Period
The presidents were the first on the board out of halftime. Berardelli with a layup, assisted by Dryburgh.
Sanders answered with another three point shot (37-26).
Suddenly, with 5:03 remaining in the quarter, there was only a two point gap between the President's and the Redhawks after a made jumpshot from Berardelli (37-35).
Butler was able to increase the lead with a made jumpshot that got the opportunity to make it a three point play. She sank the free throw (40-35, LRU).
W&J got back within two points with a made free throw from Koeck (40-38).
Sanders was able to put up another three pointer that hit the back of the net, making the score 43-38, in favor of La Roche.
With this shot, the Redhawks were able to capitalize on the momentum, and soon with a made jump shot from Hairston, a block from DJ Whitting, a jump shot from Butler, and another jump shot from Sanders, assisted by Butler, LRU up by 11 points (49-38).
Going into the fourth and final quarter, the score was 53-40, in favor of La Roche.
Fourth Period
Robinson made the first basket of the quarter, giving the Redhawks another chance to extend their lead.
La Roche continued to battle with W&J, at one point, having their lead gained on by six points.
With a steal from Butler, and then Butler going two for two was a turning point for the Redhawks (59-51).
Abram capitalized on the lead with a made layup (61-51).
Hairston added one made free throw and Abram went back up for another lay up, her ball finding the back of the net (64-54).
The Redhawks from this moment out, never let their lead slip.
The final score of the game was Washington and Jefferson with 58, and the Redhawks with 70.
La Roche was declared tournament champion.
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Two players from La Roche were honored after the championship game.
Danajah Sanders was given the honor of tournament MVP and was named to the All-Tournament team.
Shaundrea Butler was also selected to the All-Tournament team.
Sanders finished the contest with 25 points, two steals, two rebounds, and two assists.
Butler contributed 13 points, four assists, three steals, and a rebound.
Machia Hairston was the leading rebounder for the Redhawks with nine renounds, she also contributed nine points, a steal, and an assist.
Abram and Mazyck each had eight points, and seven rebounds.
Robinson also contributed seven points, an assist, and a steal.
The top scorer for W&J was Sarah Berardelli with 17 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and three blocks.
Shortly behind her was Meghan Dryburgh with 13 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists.
Piper Morningstar contributed 12 points, five rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block.
What's Next
The Redhawks will travel to Baldwin Wallace on November 23. The game will take place at 5:00 PM.