MCC Women post Region IX win against Trinidad State, 79-73

A pair of McCook Community College women's basketball players topped the 30-point mark Saturday in a 79-73 win over Trinidad State in the Peter and Dolores Graff Events Center.

Redshirt freshman Taryn Lindsey, (freshman, Fountain, Colo.) poured in 31 points and sophomore Vanessa Jurewicz (Stockholm, Sweden) scored 30 points to help MCC overcome an 11-point second-half deficit.

"I just told Vanessa and 'T' that we were going to those two that fourth quarter and run a lot of ball screens, quick handoffs, work downhill and make contact," Pritchett said.

Lindsey scored 14 in the first half and 17 in the second half on a nine-for-11 shooting night. She was two-for-three from the 3-point line and 11 of 13 from the free-throw line. Jurewicz scored nine first-half points and 21 in the second half on a 10 of 12 shooting night, making both her 3-pointers and making eight of 12 foul shots.

"I don't know when the last time we had two players with 30 points – not in my time," Pritchett said. "But we knew those two were going to be our leaders this year, and they really stepped up and played hard."

Trinidad took a 17-15 lead after the first 10 minutes then outscored MCC 24-15 in the second period to take a 41-30 at intermission.

"It was a tale of two halves for us, we came out pretty solid in the first quarter," said MCC Coach Brandl.

"Then we had a lull in that second quarter that allowed them to dictate how the game was being played."

MCC came out with a different mindset in the third quarter and cut the deficit at the start of the fourth quarter to 58-55.

"I really challenged them at halftime," said Pritchett. "Trinidad was more physical that we were in that first half, and I challenged our players to be tougher and have more grit."

MCC outscored the Lady Trojans 24-14 in the final stanza.

"We know we can execute against teams, we just don't always follow through with the game plan," Pritchett said. "Today we followed through with the game plan. We defended. We got to the free-throw line, made free throws. It was just a solid team effort."

MCC shot 61.5 percent from the field, made six of 10 3-pointers and made 21 of 29 free throws (72.4 percent.) Trinidad State shot 44.4 percent from the floor, made four of nine 3-pointers (44.4 percent) and made 15 of 24 free throws.

MCC had a 24-22 rebound edge and turned the ball over seven times.

Gemma Gruettner Bacoul (freshman, Berlin, Germany) scored five points off the bench for MCC

"I'm really proud of this group, we had two girls foul out, but they played hard," said Pritchett of freshmen Tatyana Walrond (Bridgeton, Barbados) and Rebecca Dunn (freshman, Colorado Springs, Colo.).

Freshman Natalie Harmata, (Sydney, Australia) came in and played the 5-position.

"Nat came in and played hard, she hadn't been at practice for three days," Pritchett said, "but it was an all-out team effort, we had great enthusiasm and I hope we can build off this."

MCC goes to 5-12 and will continue the four-game Region IX home stand Thursday and Friday against Northeastern Junior College and Western Nebraska. Game times are 5:30 p.m. both nights.

Trinidad State falls to 6-12.

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