Montgomery Takes Down Allegany
The Montgomery College Raptors had a dominant performance in their 63-47 victory over Allegany College of Maryland. The Raptors wasted no time asserting control, with Kennedy Clifton scoring the first points just ten seconds in off an assist from Yaheera Williams. Their defense was relentless, forcing multiple turnovers, including key steals by Tiana Carey and Litzy Lujan-Gonzales, which led to fast-break points. Clifton continued her strong start, converting a layup and a free throw to push Montgomery ahead 5-0 early. Allegany struggled to find an offensive rhythm, committing multiple turnovers and missing several contested shots.
Lujan-Gonzales became an offensive force, scoring on a layup and later draining a three-pointer off an assist from Promise Whitmore. Meanwhile, Williams anchored the defense with key blocks and rebounds. Allegany briefly cut into the lead with a three-pointer from Lenasia McCants, but Montgomery quickly responded with another Lujan-Gonzales layup. The second quarter began with Allegany's Kaylee Querry hitting a mid-range jumper, bringing the score to 16-19. Montgomery answered when McGuthrie drained a three-pointer off an assist from Carey, pushing the lead back to six.
The Raptors' defense forced tough shots, with Kayijah George and Liliana Zembower missing contested attempts. The teams exchanged turnovers, but a steal by Whitmore halted Allegany's momentum. Querry scored a layup for Allegany, but Montgomery's offense remained fluid. Massenburg made an impact with a jump shot off a McGuthrie assist, and Lujan-Gonzales connected on another three-pointer to make it 20-27.
Montgomery's defensive intensity increased as McGuthrie and Massenburg forced multiple steals, converting turnovers into points. In the final two minutes of the first half, the Raptors dominated possession. Clifton added a mid-range jumper off an offensive rebound, and Massenburg drained a deep three with under 30 seconds left, securing a commanding 22-37 halftime lead.
The third quarter opened with Sanai Massenburg hitting a jump shot, assisted by Lujan-Gonzales, reinforcing Montgomery's control. The Raptors' defense remained relentless, with steals from Williams and Carey leading to additional scoring opportunities. Offensively, Montgomery found success from beyond the arc, with Carey and Lujan-Gonzales knocking down three-pointers to widen the gap. Despite Allegany's efforts, including baskets by Zembower and Maylee Regan, the Raptors remained in control. Montgomery dominated the boards, with Massenburg and Clifton securing key rebounds to limit Allegany's second-chance opportunities.
In the fourth quarter, Montgomery maintained control despite Allegany's attempts to cut the deficit, with key contributions from Carey and Clifton. Strong rebounding and defensive stops sealed the win, ensuring Montgomery's commanding performance carried through to the final buzzer. Lujan Gonzales finished with 23 points, 6 steals, 5 assists, 7 rebounds. Williams, Massenburg, and Clifton finished with double-digit rebounds. Overall great contribution from all the players for the Raptors leading to the dominant 63-47 for the Raptors!