Central A&M opened CIC Tournament play on the road Tuesday night, traveling to Meridian to take on the host Hawks. The Raiders were looking to start the postseason with a statement win, and they came out playing with confidence and energy.
In the first half, Kloee Dial was simply unstoppable. Dial attacked the basket, knocked down shots from the perimeter, and finished with a game-high 24 points to lead the Raiders’ offense. She got plenty of help from Liv Kerby and Callie Robertson, who each buried big three-pointers to keep the pressure on the Hawks. Central A&M’s strong shooting and pace allowed them to build an 11-point lead heading into halftime.
The momentum shifted in the third quarter as Meridian made adjustments and came out with renewed intensity. The Hawks went on a run, tightening up on defense and finding their rhythm offensively, eventually erasing the deficit and tying the game.
The fourth quarter turned into a battle of will, with both teams trading baskets and hustling for every loose ball. The game remained close until the final minutes, when Meridian was able to make a few key plays down the stretch to pull away.
Despite the effort from Dial and the Raiders, the Hawks closed out a 61–56 victory. While the loss was disappointing, Central A&M showed heart and determination, competing hard on the road and proving they can go toe-to-toe with anyone in the CIC.
Liv Kerby from DT
Kloee Dial scores in the paint
Kloee Dial works the paint to score
Rheagan Barnes steal and score