Strong Plainswomen plow past MCC, 78-72

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook Community College women lost to Northeastern Junior College Friday in the Peter and Dolores Graff Events Center Friday night, 78-72.

“This was an extremely tough loss because there was a lot on the line tonight and we came up short and it hurts,” said Kellen Fernetti, MCC Women’s Basketball.

In the Region South Sub-Region standings, Western Nebraska topped the standings heading into the night at 6-0, NJC was second at 4-1 and MCC and Trinidad were tied at 3-3 so with three sub-region games left (all at home) if the Lady Indians win out against Trinidad State, Otero and Lamar, a 6-4 would leave the Lady Indians with a third-place finish at best.

“NJC’s best players stepped up to make plays and we had a hard time making plays at the right time,” Fernetti said.

Sophomore transfer Hailey Tiles (Rogers, Ark.) led MCC with 26 points to go along with nine rebounds. Freshman Makenna Bodette (Colorado Springs) had 15 points and led the Lady Indians with 10 rebounds.

Sophomore Sam Hinkle, (Rifle Colo.) added 15 points and five rebounds. Sophomore Anna Sanjuan, (Reus, Spain) scored nine points and had five boards.

MCC shot 39.7 percent from the field for the game, 36.8 percent (seven of 19) from the 3-point line, and 68.8 percent (11 of 16) from the free-throw line. The Indians had 38 rebounds and 15 turnovers.

NJC shot 43.9 percent from the field, 32.0 percent on 25 attempts from the arc, and 76.9 percent on 13 free throws. The Plains women led 23-22 after the first quarter and the teams were tied at the half 41-41. The Lady Indians were unable to overcome a 20-11 NJC advantage in the third

“A lot of stats are pretty even for this game but in order for us to take the next step, we just have to make plays at crucial times,” Fernetti said.

Tashika Burrell led NJC with 25 points.

Northeastern improves to 17-5 and 5-1 in the South Sub-Region Standings

MCC falls to 15-9 on the year and 3-4 in South Sub-Region.

The Lady Indians take a break from the Region IX competition and an expected home game has been postponed due to today’s icy weather conditions.