Lack of offense dooms MCC women in 1st-round Region IX loss

The MCC women dropped a 56-39 decision to Miles in Region IX action at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colo.

Both teams struggled to score in the opening 10 minutes of the game, according to a game summary on the Region IX women's tournament Web site.

Miles built a 26-16 halftime lead as McCook managed just 26 field goal attempts, hitting 9 total for 35 percent shooting. The Indians made 4 of 7 shots from 3-point range in the opening 20 minutes.

Miles made 11 of 28 field goals in the first half for 43 percent, including 2 of 5 beyond the 3-point arc.

Miles outscored McCook 30-26 in the second half.

For the game, MCC made 13 of 39 field goals for 33 percent, and 4 of 11 shots from 3-point range for 36.4 percent. Miles was 20 of 47 from the floor (42.6 percent), and a healthy 8 of 12 beyond the 3-point line for 67 percent.

McCook made just 9 of 20 free throws, and Miles was 8 of 13 at the line. The Indians hurt themselves by committing 25 turnovers to just 13 for the Montana squad. The winners also held a 36-27 rebound edge.

Donell Betts led MCC with 9 points and Emmalee Fladland and Elie Hiester had 7 points each. Fladland paced MCC with 6 rebounds. Malissa Ingram scored 14 points to lead Miles.

McCook C.C. head coach Benjamin Smith was unavailable for comment.

MCC final record

The McCook women end the season with a 14-17 record.

Miles advanced to Sunday's Region IX quarterfinals, where they lost a 69-44 decision to Casper (Wyo.) College.

The women's Region IX semifinals are scheduled Monday night at NJC in Sterling, with Monday's winners advancing to the championship game Tuesday night.

The Region IX champ advances to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) women's national tournament in Salina, Kan. March 16-20.

REGION IX WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

Friday-Tuesday, March 5-9, at Sterling, Colo.

Friday, March 5 First-Round Results

Sheridan (Wyo.) College 72, Gillette (Wyo.) College 68

Western Nebraska C.C. 79, Little Big Horn (Mont.) C.C. 52

Casper (Wyo.) College 71, Dawson (Mont.) C.C. 30

Northeastern (Colo.) J.C. 83, Eastern Wyoming C.C. 69

Saturday, March 6 First-Round Results

Central Wyoming C.C. 72, Lamar (Colo.) C.C. 54

Otero (Colo.) J.C. 60, Western Wyoming C.C. 47

Miles (Mont.) C.C. 54, McCook C.C. 41

Northeast Nebraska C.C. 76, Northwest Wyoming 69

Sunday, March 7 Quarterfinal Results

Central Wyoming C.C. 62, Sheridan Wyoming College 37

Otero (Colo.) J.C. 68, Western Nebraska C.C. 60

Casper (Wyo.) College 69, Miles (Mont.) C.C. 44

Northeastern (Colo.) J.C. 70, Northeast Nebraska C.C. 50

Monday, March 8 Semifinals

All times CST

Central Wyoming C.C. vs. Otero (Colo.) J.C., 6 p.m.

Casper (Wyo.) College vs. Northeastern (Colo.) J.C., 8 p.m.

Tuesday, March 9 Championship Finals

Central Wyoming-Otero winner vs. Casper-Northeastern winner, 7 p.m.

Winner advances to National Junior College Athletic Association women's national tournament at Salina, Kan. March 16-20.