No. 12 Richland Picks up DAC Win at Mountain View

DALLAS – Dallas College Richland's No. 12 women's basketball team beat Dallas College Mountain View 70-57 Thursday night to complete the first round of Dallas Athletic Conference play.

Richland's Sanaa Darensberg scored 23 points on 7-of-14 shooting. She was 7 for 12 from the free throw line. Kiana Thornton added 12 points, while shooting 5 of 7 from the floor.

The Thunderducks (6-9, 1-1 DAC) built a 22-8 lead in the first quarter. Midway through the opening period, Aspen Hicks scored on a runout on a court-length pass from Darensberg as the Thunderducks sprinted to an 11-2 lead. Mountain View (5-11, 0-2) found a little rhythm in the second quarter. Alexis Dever buried a jumper at the elbow with 5:27 remaining in the first half as the Lions pulled within 33-18. With 15 seconds remaining in the second quarter, Darensberg knocked down a shot just inside the 3-point line on a kickout from Essence Hurndon to send Richland into the break ahead 44-26.

Darensberg scored 16 in the first half, going 4 for 4 at the free throw line. Thornton scored nine of her 12 in the first half. Hicks, who finished with seven points, four rebounds and a steal, had six points in the first two quarters. Mountain View's Joslyn Jarmon scored 15 points, sinking 5 of 6 free throws, in the first half.

The Thunderducks, who shot 41 percent from the field, extended the lead to 50-29 when Darensberg hit a transition bucket on an assist from Mahagony Jackson-Walker. Richland maintained a 20-point lead throughout the rest of the quarter. Jackson-Walker finished with eight points.

Mountain View outscored Richland 17-10 in the fourth, pulling within 14 on a free throw by Deja Jones with 3:07 on the clock, but the Thunderducks never lost control.

The Thunderducks will remain at home for their final four games of the regular season. They host No. 11 Cedar Valley Feb. 19 and Mountain View Feb. 24.