Third quarter surge propels Rio past Cougars

Rio Grande Sports Information
     CAGUAS, P.R. - The University of Rio Grande used a third quarter uprising to erase a seven-point halftime deficit and then held on late for a 79-76 win over Spring Arbor (Mich.) University, Thursday night, in non-conference women's basketball action as part of the Puerto Rico Clasico at Roger Mendoza Coliseum.
     The RedStorm, ranked No. 8 in the latest NAIA coaches' Top 25 poll, improved to 10-1 with the victory.
     The Cougars dropped to 9-5 with the loss.
     Spring Arbor, which defeated Rio Grande at home last season, stretched a two-point lead at the close of the opening quarter to seven, 36-29, at the intermission.
     Rio roared to life in the third period, though, outscoring the Cougars 28-9 after connecting on 11 of their 15 field goal attempts and six of their seven free throw tries for a 57-45 advantage entering the fourth quarter.
     The RedStorm extended their cushion to as many as 13 points with just over 6-1/2 minutes to play, but Spring Arbor mounted one last rally down the stretch.
     The Cougars chipped the deficit down to three and had a chance to tie in the waning seconds, but a would-be, game-tying heave from halfcourt at the buzzer was off the mark.
     After shooting just 33 percent in the first half (9-for-27), Rio Grande hit a sizzling 68 percent (17-for-25) over the final two quarters.
     Freshman Jasmine Jordan (Ashland, KY) led the RedStorm with 22 points and 14 rebounds, while also blocking three shots.
     Junior Marlee Grinstead (Albany, OH) added 14 points in the win, while senior Kaylee Darnell (Wheelersburg, OH) - who missed the bulk of Tuesday's victory over Morningside (Iowa) after aggravating a sore shoulder - tallied 13 points, seven assists and three steals in her return to the lineup.
     Rio Grande held on for the win despite being credited with a season-high 30 turnovers.
     Spring Arbor shot just 37.5 percent (27-for-72) overall, including a 2-for-15 showing (13.3%) in the pivotal third quarter.
     The Cougars were also outrebounded, 49-35, and were whistled for 31 personal fouls, with three players fouling out.
     Alana Nelson led SAU with 20 points and six rebounds, while Emma Smieska had 16 points, five steals and four assists.
     Rio Grande will return to action on Saturday, Dec. 28, against Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) - ranked the equivalent of No. 27 in the latest coaches' poll - as part of the Governors State University Winter Classic in University Park, Ill.
     Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. EST.