With Saturday’s strong win in their back pocket, the Lady Raiders kept their momentum going when they beat LA Pierce 86-73.

Pierce is ranked fifth in the WSC with a 2-6 record, 14-11 overall, while Moorpark is ranked second with a 6-2 WSC record and 15-9 overall. This was their third time facing Pierce, the first time in the Antelope Valley Tournament championship game (won 71-66) and the second was the first time they faced one another in conference play (lost 78-88).

The Lady Raiders knew this would be a tough game and they planned on coming out on top.

“It was a good win; [LA Pierce is] a good team,” head coach Remy McCarthy said.

The game started off close, with Moorpark leading 19-16 after the first ten minutes, then with four minutes until the half, the Lady Raiders took it to a ten- point lead at 29-19. By half time they led Pierce 40-30. During the second half they gained a 13-point lead that finished the game with another victory for the Lady Raiders.

“We just played really smart, and I know we had a lot of turnovers, but we pulled it through, made baskets; played our game,” said Lindsay Neuner, freshman guard.

Several players stood out during the game and came through for their team. Ashley Ontiveros made 10 points, Aliyah Hughes had 13 points and five assists, and Riley Abraham had 43 points and 26 rebounds.

“We [are] really lucky to have Riley as a post,” said Nuener.

Abraham is currently leading the conference in rebounds per game and is second for points per game. She is also second overall in offensive rebounds and third in overall total rebounds.

The team is using this win to propel them further into their season and into their game this weekend. The Lady Raiders take on Santa Barbara City College at SBCC on Saturday, Feb. 8 at 5 p.m. SBCC is seventh in the WSC with a 1-6 record.