The McCook Community College women’s basketball team picked up their second win of the weekend posting a 72-67 over Southeast Community College Saturday in the Peter and Dolores Graff Events Center.
“Southeast is a good team and shot the ball really well,” said MCC Coach Brandon Pritchett. “I’m just excited to get out of this game with a win.” Less than 24 hours after making 10 of 13 shots from the 3-point line in the second half in a win over Northeastern Junior College Friday, the Lady Indians came out and duplicated the long-distance magic in the first half, Saturday making 10 of 13 3-pointers (76.9 percent.) MCC took an 18-13 first quarter lead and stretched the lead to 44-32 at the half. Southeast pulled to within 54-43 just over mid-way through the third quarter and cooled of the Lady Indian offense enjoying a 23-15 advantage in the third period.
“The second day of a back-to-back can be tough and there were times we played a little tired,” Pritchett said. Southeast came back and tied the game at 59-59 at the 7:05 mark of the fourth quarter, before MCC responded. “We got to the paint better in the latter stages of the game, executed down the stretch, and came up with some defensive stops in the final minutes when we needed it,” Pritchett said.
Five MCC players scored in double figures including sophomore Makenna Bodette (Colorado Springs) who scored 14 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. A trio of Lady Indians scored 13 points: sophomore Paula Rosello Mateu, (Barcelona, Spain), who also had seven assists; freshman Gail Whiting (Montgomery, Ala.), who had five rebounds; and freshman Carla Torrubia Cano (Melilla Spain) who had six boards. Redshirt freshman transfer Jessika Espinoza, (El Paso, Texas) hit on all three of her 3-point shots and finished with 11 points.
MCC shot 40.6 from the field, 57.9 percent on 19 shots from beyond the 3-point arc, and 56.3 percent on 16 foul shots. Southeast shot 45 percent from the field, 32 percent on 25 3-point shots, and 71.4 percent on seven free throws. The Storm out-rebounded MCC 41-35. “I’m proud of where we’re at right now and we need to just work and continue to get better,” said Pritchett.
MCC improves to 12-4 and 2-0 in the Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference. The Lady Indians play their second straight NCCAC game when they travel to North Platte Tuesday against the 8-10 Knights. That game is set for 5 p.m.
The Lady Indians next home game is Jan. 29 at 6 p.m. against the Doane University JVs. Southeast Community College falls to (6-13) and 1-1 in the NCCAC.