Rattlers take down MCC women 63-50 in Region IX play

LA JUNTA, Colo. – The Otero Junior College women downed McCook Community College Friday 63-50.

Otero led after the first period 17-11. Both teams scored 11 points in the second quarter, but the Lady Rattlers took a 46-33 lead at the end of the third quarter.

"We didn't play well and we were not on the same page tonight," said MCC Coach Brandon Pritchett. "Otero was the opposite, they were prepared and came out ready to play. They shot the ball well and our defense just wasn't where we have been the last couple weeks."

MCC shot 33.9 percent from the field, made four of 15 shots from beyond the 3-point line (26.7 percent) and shot six of 10 from the free-throw line.

Otero shot 40.3 percent for the game, went eight-for-26 from the arc (30.8 percent), and five of eight from the charity stripe (62.5 percent). The Rattlers won the rebound edge 40-38,

Redshirt freshman Taryn Lindsey, (freshman, Fountain, Colo.) led MCC with 14 points. Gemma Gruettner Bacoul (freshman, Berlin, Germany) had 12 points and led all players with 11 rebounds. Sophomore Vanessa Jurewicz (Stockholm, Sweden) scored 11 points.

Otero closes out the regular season 8-2 in Region IX play and 19-6 overall.

MCC holds down the third spot in the Region IX south standings, behind Western Nebraska and Otero at 4-4, 12-15 overall.

The team will play at Trinidad State Saturday then return home for the final regular-season game of the year Tuesday in a 5:30 p.m. game against Northeastern Junior College.

"We have to move past this game quickly and get ourselves prepared for tomorrow," said Pritchett.

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

WOMEN'S REGION IX SOUTH STANDINGS

                        W - L     PCT.        OVERALL)

Western Neb.      8 – 1     .889         (20-8)

Otero JC             8 – 2     .800         (19-6)

McCook CC         4 – 4     .500         (12-16)

Trinidad State     4 – 5     .444         (10-16)

Northeastern      3 – 5     .375         (9-17)