Lady Indians 3-0 in conference with win over SECC

The McCook Community College women used a 21-7 third quarter push to down Southeast Community College at home Tuesday, 70-44.

Southeast eased to an early six-point lead and MCC spent the rest of the first quarter trying to right its offense and chipped away at the lead, taking a 13-12 edge with a shot at the first-quarter buzzer. MCC's offense started clicking in the second quarter and led at the half 32-22.

"We came out in that third quarter really strong," said MCC Coach Brandon Pritchett. "I told them after the game that if we can play like that for four quarters and execute, we can be a special team."

The Lady Indians outscored SECC 21-7 in the third quarter and maintained the cushion throughout the final quarter.

MCC shot 41 percent for the game including 46.7 percent in the second half. From the 3-point line the Lady Indians shot 46.2 percent and were seven-for-13 in the second half (53.8 percent). MCC made eight of nine free throws (88.9 percent).

"We shot really well, you can't really ask for better numbers," said Pritchett. "But I told them, I can ask for better numbers because in that first half we took five really bad shots – we eliminate those shots and we're over 50 percent for the game."

The Lady Indians outrebounded SECC 42-39 and committed 19 turnovers.

"And if we stick to talking good shots and eliminate the turnovers, we will be hard to guard," said Pritchett.

Southeast shot 27.9 percent from the floor, made three of 23 3-pointers (13 percent) and made seven of 12 foul shots (58.3 percent.)

Sophomore Audra Vine (Thornton, Colo.) led all scorers with 23 points. She made seven of 11 shots from the 3-point arc and also led the team with nine rebounds.

"They were down some players, we were down some players, but Audra really stepped up for us and had a phenomenal game," said Pritchett. He noted his sophomore transfer has been in the gym a lot since getting back from the holiday break and working on her shots. "And it shows, I'm really proud of the way she worked so hard to get better for us."

Those seven 3-pointers in a game tied an unofficial record. Mikaila Newton also hit seven treys in a game in the 2012-2013 season.

Suzan Sisman (sophomore, Aarhus, Denmark) scored 15 points and freshman Madara Liepniece (Riga, Latvia) chipped in 12 points and led the team with four assists.

"Sue didn't shoot it great but made some shots in the second half and did what we needed her to do and kept it simple," said Pritchett. "And she continues to give us a strong defensive game."

Freshman Hanne Alvarez Verdaguer (Barcelona, Spain) hit three of four shots from the 3-point line and scored nine points. Sophomore Noa Iglesias Chorda (Barcelona, Spain) added seven rebounds and sophomore Rebecca Dunn (Colorado Springs, Colo.) brought down six boards.

Southeast falls to 4-12 and goes to 0-1 in the Nebraska conference.

MCC improves to 10-8 and 3-0 in the NCCAC. A key Nebraska conference game is set for Jan 30 at home against North Platte. The Knights are 10-6 to start their season.

The Lady Indians are back on the road Saturday for a Region IX south game at Lamar then return home Tuesday to face Northeastern Junior College in a women's/men's double header starting at 5:30 p.m.

"We've got some things to clean up and some things to focus on that we do well as we prepare for Lamar Saturday," said Pritchett.