No. 5 New Mexico JC hands MCC women 82-53 loss

HOBBS, N.M. – The No. 5 New Mexico Junior College women handed McCook Community College an 82-53 loss Friday in the opening of a three- day weekend slate.

The Thunderbirds took advantage of early MCC turnovers, flew to a 22-10 first-quarter lead and never trailed.

MCC turned the ball over 28 times in the game.

The Lady Indians shot 38.3 percent from the field, made four of 10 shots from the 3-point line and connected on 13 of 20 free throws (65 percent).

NMJC shot 45.9 percent from the field, hit eight of 29 3-pointers (27.6 percent) and went six of 14 from the line (42.9 percent) while enjoying a 35-34 rebounding edge.

Freshman Madara Liepniece (Riga, Latvia) came off the bench to lead the team in scoring with 15 points, including a two-for-three night from the 3-point line. Sophomore transfer Suzan Sisman (Aarhus, Denmark) scored 12 points and Gemma Gruettner Bacoul (sophomore, Berlin, Germany) chipped in 10 points and seven rebounds.

Sophomore Rebecca Dunn (Colorado Springs, Colo.) led MCC with eight rebounds and added seven points off the bench.

The Thunderbirds improve to 11-3.

MCC falls to 7-5 as the Lady Indians continue in the three-day classic Saturday taking on South Plains College (6-6) at 3 p.m. and a Sunday game at noon against Casper College to close out the semester.

Up-to-date information about MCC basketball including schedules, statistics, rosters and photos can be found on the MCC Athletics website, www.mccindians.com.