Lady Indians close out regular season with 61-50 win

The McCook Community College women wrapped up the regular season Saturday with a “Sophomore Day” win over Otero College 61-50.

The win gives the Lady Indians a 19-11 regular season mark, an 8-2 record against Region IX South opponents, and a 9-3 showing at the Peter and Dolores Graff Events Center.

“That was a fun game, everybody battled, everybody that came in did good things for us,” said MCC Coach Brandon Pritchett. “I’m really proud of being able to finish the regular season with these two wins at home.”

The weekend wins completed a 4-0 record over Trinidad State and Otero for the season – home and away – something the coach said hasn’t happened in a long time. MCC also swept Lamar and Northeastern Junior College as the team builds momentum heading into the Region IX tournament in two weeks.

“8-2 record in the region is the best we’ve had since I’ve been here. A number two seed also the best since I’ve been here – a lot of firsts with this group and they continue to impress me and continue to make me proud.” said Pritchett.

Before the game, MCC honored four sophomores including Madara Liepniece (Riga, Latvia), Natalie Harmata (Sydney, Australia), Marta Moya Perez (Alboraya, Spain) and Irene Fernandez Pavesio (Miami-Dade, Asturias, Spain).

Both Harmata and Moya Perez began their time with MCC in August of 2022 and played their freshman years in the 2022-2023 season. Harmata was injured early in the 2023-24 and declared a medical redshirt but returned this year for a third season. Liepniece spent the conventional two-years in MCC. Moya Perez stayed home for the 2023-24 season but returned to campus in August for her second season. Fernandez Pavesio spent her freshman year at Miami-Dade Community College before spending this season in McCook.

On Saturday, Otero outshot MCC in the first half 37.5 percent to 30.8 as the Lady Rattlers stayed in the game throughout the first half, trailing MCC after 10 minutes 16-12 and 28-24 at intermission.

The Lady Indians came out in the second half and clamped down defensively holding Otero to just four points in the third quarter on the way to a 41-28 advantage after three quarters. MCC shot 52.2 percent in the second half and 40.8 percent for the game. The Lady Indians made five of nine 3-pointers in the first half but was 0-for-four in the second half. From the line the Lady Indians made nine of 12 for the game (75 percent).

“We’re sharing the ball and playing together,” said Pritchett. “I’m proud of this group and their continued commitment to each other.”

Freshman Peyton Cox (Wauneta-Palisade) led MCC with 13 points off the bench while Fernandez Pavesio and Harmata both scored 10. Ten of MCC’s 12 players who suited up scored or had a rebound.

“We had a nice balance across the board today and I’m just proud of how we played top to bottom today,” said Pritchett. “Peyton continues to do some really good things for us when she comes in.”

Otero shot 31.6 percent for the game, 38.1 percent on 21 3-point attempts and six of 11 from the line (54.5 percent.) The Rattlers finish the Region IX south schedule at 1-9 and 4-24 overall.

Winning the second seed in the south, The Lady Indians receive a first-round bye for next weekend’s Region IX play-in games and so their next game won’t be until March 13-15 when they play the third seed coming out of the Region IX North. That game will be played in Scottsbluff.

Up-to-date information about MCC basketball including post-season pairings and times, livestream links, schedule, statistics, rosters, photos and more can be found on the MCC Athletics website, www.mccindians.com