Marshalltown, IA—The Marshalltown Community College women's basketball team put up a fight against No. 20 Northeast Community College, but dropped their final regular season Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) contest to the Hawks 60-47. Jasmin Howe (Millicent, Australia/Millicent) scored 16 to lead the Tigers.
MCC trailed by just six at halftime, but the Hawks limited the Tigers to just 17 second half points to pull out the win. The Hawks finish the regular season in first place in the ICCAC.
Along with Howe's 16, JeAnn Hiraldo (Ames, IA/Ames) scored 12 points before fouling out. Sammie Sproul (Waterloo, IA/Waterloo West) grabbed four rebounds and collected six assists to compliment five points.
The Tigers hit their first three shots of the game, including a three from Ilsie Calles (Van Nuys, CA/Fulton Prep) for an early lead. After a quick 8-2 spurt from the Hawks, Sproul scored five straight to regain the lead 14-13. The Tigers stayed on pace with the Hawks, but it was Northeast that grabbed a six-point lead late in the half and took a 36-30 lead into halftime.
Neither side contributed much scoring early on in the second frame. Northeast outscored the Tigers 7-0 in the first 4:51 of play. MCC eventually pulled back within three on two free throws from Howe, but the Tigers never inched closer as Northeast left the Student Activity Center with a victory.
The first half saw six lead changes and four ties, but the second half belonged to Northeast as the Hawks never relinquished their lead.
The Hawks outrebounded MCC 44-27 on the night which made up for the 17 miscues Northeast committed compared to just 12 for the Tigers.
MCC will host Southeastern Community College on Monday night where the Tigers will honor their sophomore class. Tip-off is set for 5:30 PM.
