Mohawk Valley Times

The FMCC Women's Basketball team finished their prolific 2022-2023 season at the NJCAA DIII Championship Tournament in Rochester, Minnesota.

Head Coach Kevin Jones led his program back to the National Tournament for the first time since 2004.The unbeaten Lady Raiders earned the #2 seed with a 21-0 record and secured a first-round bye in the tournament.

On Thursday, March 16th the Raiders opened the national tournament against the 7th seeded Riverland Community College in the quarterfinals.FMCC took a 20-16 lead after the first quarter. 

Riverland was able to tie the score at 28, but FMCC re-gained the lead, 31-28 at the half.In the second half, it was all Riverland as they outscored the Lady Raiders 44-19 to give FMCC their first loss of the season.

Abigail Lombardoni had 18 points in the 72-50 loss.Kiya Marquez added 18 and Andie Gannon and Makenzie Smith both scored in double-figures.The loss moved FMCC into the consolation bracket on Friday, March 17th against Community College of Rhode Island.The Knights dominated FMCC in the first three quarters, as the Lady Raiders trailed 69-54 heading into the final quarter.

FM would not back down as they used a 34-12 run in the 4th quarter to claw their way back to victory, 88-81.Andie Gannon led five players in double-figures with 24 points and 13 rebounds. Smith had 18 points and 18 rebounds.

Marquez tallied 16 points, and Lombardoni and Sarah Emanuel-Norwood each had 14.The victory moved FMCC into the 5th place game on Saturday, against Anoka-Ramsey.FMCC jumped out to an 18-12 lead after the 1st quarter.

Anoka-Ramsey re-gained the lead, 23-21 mid-way through the 2nd quarter.The Lady Raiders were unable to find the rhythm on the offensive end and suffered the 74-59 loss in their final contest of the season.Kiya Marquez had 20 points in the loss.

Gannon had 14 points and 11 rebounds and Smith collected 13 points and 13 rebounds.They finish the season with an impressive 22-2 overall record.

The Lady Raiders were 2023 Mountain Valley Champions, 2023 Region 3 Champions and finished 6th in the Nation.Kiya Marquez, Andie Gannon and Makenzie Smith were named to the 2023 All-Region Team. Abigail Lombardoni was named to the All-Conference team, along with Marquez, Gannon and Smith.  

Original source can be found here.