Iowa hoops team breaks away from MCC

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – The Iowa Western Community College women responded from a two-point first quarter deficit Monday to down McCook Community College 85-54 at Reiver Arena.

The Lady Indians came out and led 17-15 at the end of the first quarter but were outscored 70-37 over the final 30 minutes of the game.

“I thought we played a really good first quarter,” MCC coach Brandon Pritchett said. “We had some energy, we made some plays offensively and we guarded. But again we have to be able to do that for four quarters.”

Iowa Western responded in the second 10 minutes of play with a 19-11 edge to lead at the half 34-28 as the Reivers were able to convert 11 first-half MCC turnovers into 12 points.

“We lost focus when Iowa Western made some plays and we allowed them to continue to make plays against us,” Pritchett said. “They are a top 25-caliber team but we have to be more competitive and execute on both ends.”

Sophomores Amiya Dartest (Jennings, La.) and Estrella Avalos (Las Cruces, N.M.) both scored11 points to lead the Lady Indians on the scoresheet.

Carla Torrubia Cano (sophomore, Melilla Spain) scored eight points. Maite Lara Garcia (redshirt freshman, Sant Joan Despi, Spain) led MCC with eight rebounds to go along with seven points. Valentina Monzo (Santiago, Chili / Instituto Sagrado Coragon de San Bernnardo) hit a pair of first-half 3-pointers to finish with six points.

The Reivers shot 56.5 percent from the field, made seven of 17 shots from distance (41.2 percent) and made eight of 14 foul shots (57.1 percent).

Iowa Western improves to 15-2.

MCC goes to 9-7 on the season. The Lady Indians were supposed to play ninth-ranked Western Nebraska (12-2) at home Wednesday, but that game has been canceled.