Lady Indians return to court with loss to Western Wyoming
CASPER, Wyo. – The McCook Community College women returned to action Thursday with a 79-58 loss to Western Wyoming in the Region IX Crossover Classic in Swede Erickson Gym. This was MCC's first game back from the holiday break.
"We practiced all week for their zone and just didn't execute," said MCC Coach Brandon Pritchett. "That is on me to figure out how to get them to buy into our offense."
MCC shot 32.1 percent from the field in the first half and 38.3 percent for the game, went six-for-27 from the 3-point line and just 35.3 percent from the free-throw line on 17 shots.
"We struggled to score the ball on all levels and five of 17 from the line is possibly the worst one of our teams have ever shot," said Pritchett.
The last time MCC was on the court came in a 70-38 loss to these same Mustangs to end the first half of the season in Riverton, Wyo.
The Mustangs shot 51.7 percent from the field, made 13 of 26 from distance and 44.4 percent from the line on nine shots. Western Wyoming outrebounded MCC 37-24.
Sophomore Madara Liepniece (Riga, Latvia) led MCC in scoring with 15 points. Sophomore transfer Irene Fernandez Pavesio (Miami-Dade, Asturias, Spain) added 10 and Natalie Harmata (redshirt sophomore, Sydney, Australia) chipped in nine points.
"We are a good defensive team, but when you don't score the ball, it makes it tougher on your defense to get stops," said Pritchett.
Western Wyoming improves to 7-4 on the season.
The Lady Indians (9-6) continue in the Crossover Classic Friday for the second of three games in three days. MCC takes on Casper (10-5) at 6:30 then wrap up with a 3 p.m. game against the Pronghorns (10-5) of Gillette College Saturday.