Ajayi scores 40; Raiders lose to Highline

Michael Ajayicame one point short of Raider immortality on Wednesday night, as the freshman forward from Kentwood High School, scored a career-high 40 points, in the Raiders' 97-82 loss to Highline College. The Thunderbirds jumped out to an early 9-0 lead and never looked back, as the Raiders played catch up all night.

Ajayiscored a team-high 13 points to lead the Raiders into the locker room at halftime, trailing 43-35. In the second half, it was all Ajayi, as he put the Raiders on his back for a run at the T-Birds. Ajayiscored 27 points in the second half, on 12-18 shooting from the field, and dominated the glass with 14 rebounds in the final 20 minutes. It was one of the greatest second half performances in Raider history.Ajayi's 40 points fell just shy of the Raiders' single game record set by Tony Adams, who tallied41 points against Olympic College in 1989.

Torrey Cady and Adrian Simon both chipped in 12 points and 6 rebounds apiece. Donnelle Irvin added 10 points and 5 boards. The loss ended the Raiders' 3 game win streak, and evened their league record at 3-3, 4-12 overall.

Pierce is on the road on Saturday, at South Puget Sound. Tip-off at 3:00 pm.