Seward County Lady Saints down MCC women 87-51

LIBERAL, Kan. – The Seward County Community College Lady Saints downed McCook Community College Friday 87-51 in the Seward Community College Classic.

Seward County took command of the game early and led 26-11 after the first quarter and 49-18 at the half.

"Seward shot the ball really well tonight and executed," said MCC Coach Brandon Pritchett. "They pressured us – which we knew was their game plan –and we took quick shots, tough ones, or turned the ball over."

MCC committed 15 first-half turnovers, which was more than the team had in its last game and ended up with 23 in the game. The team shot 32.8 percent from the field, made five of 17 3-pointers (29.4 percent), and made eight of 13 free throws (61.5 percent.)

Pritchett said the team settled down a little more in the second half and took better team shots.

"When we take a breath, execute our offense, and get multiple paint touches we get easy opportunities," Pritchett said. "We just need to be a more consistent team."

SCCC shot 35.3 from the field, made nine of 28 shots from distance (32.1 percent) and went 18-for-23 from the free-throw line (78.3 percent). The Lady Saints outrebounded MCC 52-40 and committed 15 turnovers.

Marta Moya Perez (freshman, Alboraya, Spain) led MCC in scoring with 16 points. Freshman Gemma Gruettner Bacoul (Berlin, Germany) came off the bench to score 12 points and led the team with six rebounds. Freshman Natalie Harmata (Sydney, Australia) scored 10 points.

Seward County improves to 8-4 on the season.

MCC falls to 3-11 and will continue play in the Seward tournament Saturday at 2 p.m. against Redlands (Oklahoma) Community College (9-6). Saturday's game is the final one for MCC before the holiday break.

"We have one more opportunity tomorrow against a good Redlands team," Pritchett said.

The MCC women return to action Jan. 13 for the first of four home games in the first week back. MCC hosts Otero Jan. 13 at 5:30 p.m., Trinidad State Jan. 14 at 2 p.m., Northeastern Junior College at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 19 and Western Nebraska at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 20.

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