MCC women top Hastings JVs 96-50 to break four game skid

The McCook Community College women's basketball team snapped a four-game losing streak Sunday, picking up a 96-50 win over the Hastings College JV team at home.

"It was one of those games that we needed," said MCC Coach Brandon Pritchett. "We were able to execute our game, play against someone other than ourselves and work out some kinks."

MCC scored three seconds after the opening tip and never trailed marching to a 25-9 first-quarter lead and 54-17 at the half.

"We shot the ball better, we didn't force our shots, we tried to get to the paint, we rebounded the ball and we limited our turnovers." Pritchett said. "We pressed the whole game and didn't let up and that's what I envisioned this group to be able to do."

MCC shot 53.9 percent from the field, made four of 12 3-pointers (33.3 percent) and went 18 of 23 from the free-throw line (78.3 percent). The team committed 11 turnovers and came up with 21 steals.

Hastings shot 32.6 percent for the game, made five of 19 from the 3-point arc (26.3 percent) and 17-for-28 from the line (60.7 percent). The Broncos outrebounded MCC 31-29 and turned the ball over 29 times.

"As we move forward, we still have a lot of things to work on, but this is a big step for us and we have to continue that throughout this week," Pritchett said.

Three players scored in double figures. Sophomore Vanessa Jurewicz (Stockholm, Sweden) led the way with 19 points and six steals. Freshman Marta Moya Perez (Alboraya, Spain) made both of her 3-pointers and tallied 18 points. Natalie Harmata, (freshman, Sydney, Australia) scored 17 points and grabbed five rebounds. Gemma Gruettner Bacoul (freshman, Berlin, Germany) tied for team-high rebound honors with five to go along with nine points as all 10 players who suited up scored at least three points.

"Everybody got in the score book and everybody got to play and played well," Pritchett said. "I'm excited for this group. We shared the ball, played well and everybody gets to celebrate."

MCC improves to 3-10 and will close out the semester Friday and Saturday with a pair of games at the Seward Community College tournament at Liberal, Kan. On Friday MCC plays Seward CC at 6 p.m. then takes on Redlands Community College (Oklahoma) at 2 p.m. Saturday.

For all the up-to-date information on MCC women's basketball this season and all sports including schedules, statistics, rosters and photos, please visit the official website of MCC Athletics at mccindians.com