MCC Women lose 62-53 decision to Trinidad State

The McCook Community College women lost their second straight-game Friday, losing a Region IX South division game to Trinidad State 62-43. MCC had downed the Lady Trojans in Trinidad Jan. 22, 69-66.

"We just gave this one away," said MCC Coach Brandon Pritchett. "We had every opportunity, we prepared, we had time, we had two good practices and we just did not show up."

MCC led by four points seven minutes into the game but gave it up over the final three minutes to trail 17-14 at the quarter's end. MCC battled back to tie the game 30-30 at halftime.

The third quarter proved to be the turning point as MCC scored just five points and the offense never recovered. MCC was to 22.6 percent shooting in the second half (25.4 percent for the game.) MCC went six-for-23 from the 3-point line (26.1 percent) and made 17 of 22 free throws.

Trinidad State shot 29.2 percent for the game made two of 19 3-pointers (10.5 percent) and went 18 of 24 from the line.

MCC won the rebound battle 51-47 but gave up 19 offensive rebounds and turned the ball over 21 times.

"We had 21 turnovers, we shot the three 23 times, we just didn't play very well tonight at all," Pritchett said. "It's hard to win when you give up 19 offensive rebounds combined with the turnovers."

On Tuesday in the North Platte game, MCC lost sophomore guard Alyssa Van Vleet (Decatur Community College, Oberlin, Kan.) with an ankle injury. She is day-to-day with the sprain.

"Losing Alyssa affects us because she brings a lot of energy and does a lot of great things," Pritchett said. "We need to get some other people on the bench to step up and some good things for us."

Sophomore Vanessa Jurewicz (Stockholm, Sweden) led MCC with 16 points, going nine-for-10 from the line. Sophomore Shelby Clark (Las Vegas, Nevada) had eight points and nine rebounds. Sophomore Hanna Appelgren (Stockholm, Sweden) came on to score nine points – all in the second half.

 "Shelby I think has stepped up in that role and played well in Alyssa's absence but somebody has to take Shelby's spot off the bench," Pritchett said. "Hanna played well. She shot the ball well tonight and had one of her best games of the season."

Sophomore Sonia Sato (El Paso, Texas) led MCC with 14 rebounds and scored eight points. Sophomore Carla Torrubia Cano (Melilla, Spain).

MCC goes to 17-11 and 5-4 in the Region IX South Standings.

Trinidad State improves to 8-17 and 5-5 in the standings.

"We have to figure out how to regroup quickly and play together tomorrow against a tough Otero team," said Pritchett said.

On Saturday MCC takes on Otero at 2 p.m. The Lady Rattlers are (8-18, 2-6). This will be the final game for eight sophomores who will be honored prior to the game.

Saturday is also the Dick Driml Chili Cookoff in the auxiliary gym and it is open to the public from 1:30 p.m. until halftime of the men's game. All proceeds benefit the MCC Music Department.

For more photos from tonight's game, please visit the MCC Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MPCCMcCook