MCC women lose to Western Neb. in Region IX semis

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. -- The McCook Community College women's basketball team's run through the post-season ended March 6.

The Lady Indians fell behind in the second half and could not catch up against Western Nebraska Community College in the semifinals of the Region IX Tournament. Western Nebraska took advantage of home-court advantage to beat the McCook women, 89-72.

The Region IX Tournament was played at the Cougar Palace on the WNCC campus in Scottsbluff.

THE MCC WOMEN had won two games in consecutive nights to advance to the tournament semifinals. But the powerful host Cougars jumped to an early lead and MCC could not fight back.

Western Nebraska used strong shooting to build a 41-21 halftime cushion. According to the Scottsbluff Star-Herald, the Lady Cougars hit over half of their field goal attempts, and WNCC also made nine shots from 3-point range.

The hosts scored the first eight points of the contest and never looked back. Shalisa Moffit hit three consecutive 3-point shots to boost WNCC to a 30-11 lead late in the first half.

McCook tried to fight back in the second half, cutting the deficit to 12 points. But the Lady Cougars snuffed the threat, using a 10-6 run to lead 83-67 late in the contest.

Akia Davis scored 19 points to pace McCook. Mikaila Newton and Shelby Hemmann added 11 points each.

Western Nebraska was led by Jessica Aratani with 20 points.

THE McCOOK women end the season with a strong 25-8 record under interim head coach Kylie Rinehart. Rinehart, starting the year as an assistant for the Lady Indians, took over the MCC program early this season after former head coach Benjamin Smith was dismissed.

The Lady Indians handed Western Nebraska its only loss on the court this season. WNCC was forced to forfeit 13 early-season games for using an ineligible player.

Western Nebraska beat Gillette (Wyoming) College in the tournament finals March 7 and advance to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) national tournament in Salina, Kan.