MCC Women Stage Incredible Comeback in Thrilling Tourney Finale
In an exhilarating display of determination and skill, the McCook Community College (MCC) women’s basketball team put their resilience on full display during the Fall Classic tourney title game against Casper. Down by 18 early in the third quarter, the Lady Indians clawed their way back and even took a lead in the fourth.
But a last-second shot—confirmed after a replay review—left them just short. Casper edged out MCC with a 67-66 win.
Coach Brandon Pritchett praised his team, especially for their incredible second-half effort. He called it the best 20 minutes of basketball they’ve played all season.
A Tale of Two Halves
Table of Contents
The Lady Indians had a rough start, trailing 21-12 after the first quarter. By halftime, they were down 39-25.
Coach Pritchett said the team played tight at first, but eventually relaxed and let the game come to them. Once they locked in on defense, things started to shift.
Defensive Prowess
After halftime, MCC’s defense really stepped up. They held the Thunderbirds to just 25 percent shooting in the second half.
Casper only managed three three-pointers out of nine tries. That kind of defensive effort says a lot about this team’s potential.
The Lady Indians outscored Casper 23-13 in the third quarter. By the end of the period, they’d trimmed the deficit to just four points.
Offensive Surge
Offensively, MCC found their rhythm. Their shooting percentage jumped from 30.4 percent in the first half to 40.7 percent after halftime.
They also knocked down three of five three-point attempts. Sophomore Johanna Gerlach led the way with 15 points and five rebounds.
Her performance brought back memories of her strong finish last season. Coach Pritchett seemed optimistic she’ll keep that momentum going.
Key Players and Contributions
Every starter made a mark, with each scoring at least eight points. Here’s a quick look at the standouts:
- Johanna Gerlach: 15 points, 5 rebounds
- Laia Izquierdo Altimira: 13 points, 4 rebounds
- Mar Molina Munoz: 10 points, 4 rebounds
- Miriam Wahlqvist: 8 points, 5 rebounds
- Carolina Garcia Perdomo: 8 points, 3 assists
Bench Strength
The bench chipped in, too. Sophomore Jacelyn Jorgensen grabbed eight rebounds to lead the team.
Jada Kemm added six points, hitting two of her three three-point shots. Freshman Miah Wren tossed in four points and showed she can contribute, too.
Looking Ahead
The Lady Indians made 25 of 35 free throws, shooting 71.4 percent from the line. They also won the rebound battle 41-32.
Coach Pritchett pointed out some bright spots and seemed eager to see how the team builds on this performance.
Upcoming Challenges
Next up, MCC hits the road for the first time this season. They’ll head to El Dorado, Kansas, for the Butler Classic.
The Lady Indians face Butler Community College on Thursday and Coffeyville Community College on Friday. Both teams rank among the top four in the Jayhawk Conference, so these games won’t be easy.
Coach Pritchett stressed the importance of strong defense and solid execution on offense. He knows the team will need both to have a shot at winning.
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Home Games Before Thanksgiving
After their road trip, the Lady Indians get a couple of home games before Thanksgiving. They’ll face Concordia JV on November 18.
Central Wyoming comes to town on November 22. Honestly, these games feel pretty important for the team to build some momentum and keep sharpening their play.
The Lady Indians showed plenty of grit in the Fall Classic tourney title game against Casper. If they keep working hard, who knows how far they can go?
Want more details on the game or upcoming matchups? Check out the McCook Gazette.