On Saturday, Feb. 14, Montgomery College’s Women’s Basketball team (11–13, 5–5) defeated Anne Arundel County Riverhawks (0–19, 0–13), marking head coach Tarlouh Gasque’s 301st career victory since joining Montgomery College’s (MC) Rockville program in the 2006–07 season. The win also provided the Raptors with some positive momentum as they’ve now secured three consecutive wins following a tough eight-game losing streak.
Battling Through Adversity
The Raptors’ midseason struggles coincided with the loss of multiple key contributors: starting wing Tiana Carey went down with an injury during a stretch in which much of MC’s schedule featured opponents with winning percentages above 0.600. Roughly a month later, starting forward and center Caitlyn Howard also suffered an injury in the midst of the losing streak, creating additional challenges for a roster already facing tough times.However, the Raptors caught a break upon their matchup with the Riverhawks.
Controlling the Glass
Against Anne Arundel, MC established control early by dominating the rebounding battle. The Raptors outrebounded the Riverhawks 63–23, a margin that defined the game and created consistent second chance opportunities.
Three players finished with at least 12 rebounds, highlighting the collective effort on the glass. Yaheera Williams recorded 10 points and 17 rebounds, including 11 offensive boards. Londyn Miller added 8 points and 17 rebounds, with 12 coming on the offensive end, while Ariana Sisk contributed 6 points and 12 rebounds with 11 offensive rebounds.
These numbers reflect a clear emphasis on effort and physicality. By generating extra possessions and limiting Anne Arundel to one shot per trip, the Raptors were able to control tempo and create scoring opportunities even when initial shots did not fall.
Player of the Game
Freshman guard Imani Dennis led MC offensively with 20 points, while also contributing 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 steals. Dennis balanced scoring and playmaking throughout the game, consistently attacking gaps in the defense and creating transition opportunities. Her defensive activity also played a key role in generating momentum, as she disrupted passing lanes and pressured the ball.
Looking Ahead
As the regular season enters its final stretch, the Raptors’ recent success has been driven by rebounding, defensive activity, and the ability to generate second chance points. If MC can continue to maintain this level of physicality while improving efficiency on the offensive end, the team could position itself as a competitive opponent in postseason play, especially once Carey and Howard establish themselves back into the rotation.
