Jonesboro – AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – Jan. 18, 2025 – Nettleton’s Lady Raiders fell short against Greene County Tech 61-53 at Raider Gym on Friday.
The loss drops their record to 10-8, as they still seek their first conference win of the season.
The Eagles struck first, pulling into a 7-0 lead before Nettleton’s Kaylee Franklin converted at the line to end the run. Franklin took that confidence into her next possession, extending her range and depositing a three-point shot.
The Eagles matched that shot, and then Jacy Edrington’s pair of long-range shots brought Greene County Tech’s lead to 18-13.
Franklin was called for her second foul, which instigated a technical foul by Coach Kevin Frisbee. Weslyn Burnside scored on three consecutive drives to the rim, including one in which she spun off a defender, took the contact, and banked in the layup.
Kinsley Patterson mitigated the damage of this stretch by taking it inside and hitting a deep shot, pulling the score to 33-27 in favor of the Eagles. A pair of free throws closed the half for Greene County Tech, who went into half riding a 35-29 lead.
Nettleton opened the second half strong, going on a quick run powered by Patterson’s willingness to score through contact. Kaedyn Hardaway made an impact when she scored a corner three, then grabbed the rebound on Greene County Tech’s following possession and found Taylor Thomas in the corner for another deep shot.
The crowd erupted, as the Raiders were now up 42-41. The Eagles silenced the home fans by regaining the lead before the quarter ended. They led 48-46 going into the final period.
Kiyuna Glayson made her mark on the game when Jessica Cullins darted a pass her way in the post and she scored. On the following possession, Glayson drew a foul. With five minutes to play, Nettleton trailed 52-48. Edrington nailed a critical deep shot, and Greene County Tech converted a handful of free throws to hold onto the lead.
For the Raiders, a few trips from the charity stripe came up empty. With a minute left and down five points, they’d implement a full court press, but it wasn’t enough to turn the tide. They’d come up eight points shy in the end, and the close loss spotlighted the squandered points at the free throw line.
“At halftime, we talked about stopping them inside and I felt like we did a good job of that. As far as the free throw misses, it’s something we’ve addressed and I think tonight was an anomaly,” Coach Frisbee said. “Last time out against Greene County, I believe we hit 15 of our 19 free throws. I didn’t think the free throw line was where we’d fall short.”
The Raiders will travel to Batesville to face the 8-8 Pioneers on Tuesday.