MCC women edge North Platte for conference lead

The McCook Community College women gutted out a 41-36 win Tuesday at home over North Platte to take over the lead in the Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference. MCC goes to 3-0 in conference and North Platte goes to 2-1.

MCC turned the ball over 14 times in the first half and just twice in the second half. The Lady Indians gave up five first-half offensive rebounds and just two in the second half.

“That was a big difference for us and I’m proud of us,” said Pritchett.

MCC led at the half 19-10 despite shooting 23.8 percent. The Lady Indians finished the game shooting 19.6 percent, 19 percent from the 3-point line on 21 tries but hit 17 of 20 free throws (85 percent).

“The shots just weren’t there for us tonight, and sometimes that happens but the one thing we did do was shoot free throws.”

North Platte outscored MCC 13-4 in the third quarter to tie the game at 23-23, but the Indians came back with an 18-13 fourth-quarter edge.

“I’m proud of how we gutted out that last quarter,” said Pritchett. “Shots weren’t falling, but we executed.

MCC outscored North Platte 17-7 at the free-throw line for the game.

Sophomore Suzan Sisman (Aarhus, Denmark) led all scorers in the game with 18 points including a nine-for-nine performance from the free-throw line and five rebounds. She made four of 17 shots and one 3-pointer in eight tries.

“Sue had a big game for us and it was great for her to step up and do some things,” said Pritchett. “She didn’t shoot it well from outside but we told her to change up what she does and get to the rim, get to the line and get rebounds, and she did. I’m proud of her.”

Gemma Gruettner Bacoul (sophomore, Berlin, Germany) added 14 with seven rebounds. She hit a 3-pointer with 38.7 seconds left in the game to put MCC up for good. She made two of six 3-pointers and three-for-13 overall while going went six-for-seven at the line.

The Lady Indians outrebounded the Knights 42-38. Sophomore Rebecca Dunn (Colorado Springs, Colo.) led MCC with nine rebounds.

“I was hard or Rebecca all week, but she came in and really stepped up in the paint for us,” said Pritchett.

North Platte made just three of 30 first-half shots and finished the game shooting 23.2 percent and made three of 18 3-pointers (16.7 percent) and went seven of 13 from the line (53.8 percent).

“I really thought we defended well,” said Prichett.

North Platte goes to 12-9 overall.

MCC improves to 11-11.

The Lady Indians will be home again Friday for a 7 p.m. game against the Concordia University JVs and again Feb. 6 at 5:30 p.m. against Lamar.

Up-to-date information about MCC basketball including schedules, statistics, rosters and photos can be found on the MCC Athletics website, www.mccindians.com.