Creston, IA—Four different players scored in double-figures, led by JeAnn Hiraldo's (Ames, IA/Ames) 17 as the Marshalltown Community College women's basketball team defeated Southwestern Community College 69-52 in a cross-division matchup Wednesday night. The Tigers improve to 14-10 on the year.
Joining Hiraldo in double-digits was Jasmin Howe (Millicent, Australia/Millicent) with 15 and Ilsie Calles (Van Nuys, CA/Fulton Prep) and Sammie Sproul (Waterloo, IA/Waterloo West) each with 13. The Tigers shot 20-24 from the free throw line on the night.
Calles knocked down an early three to give the Tigers a 7-2 lead. MCC continued to extend its lead, eventually taking a 25-9 edge. Hiraldo knocked down a mid-range jumper to beat the first half buzzer and give the Tigers a 33-21 lead at halftime.
The Spartans eventually chipped away and brought their deficit to just six midway through the second half. Calles provided another offensive spark for the Tigers, knocking down another three to put MCC back up by nine at the 8:15 mark. MCC led by as many as 19 down the stretch to hold on for the win.
MCC has now shot at least 80 percent as a team from the free throw line in nine different games this season. The Tigers are shooting 71.7 from the charity stripe on the year, which ranks 14th among all NJCAA Division I teams.
The Tigers will look for the season sweep over Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) foe Iowa Western Community College at 5:00 PM on Saturday. MCC defeated the Reivers, ranked No. 4 at the time, 59-41 on Jan. 17 at the Student Activity Center.
