In their bid to complete a perfect Region 16 regular season schedule, North Central Missouri College women's basketball fell short against Jefferson College on Friday, losing 69-60 in their final regular season game. The 7th ranked Lady Pirates go into the postseason with a 24-5 record. Region 16 postseason tournament details are still to be announced.
Gladys Brown led NCMC in scoring with 13 points off the bench. She went 5-6 from the field plus knocked in both free throw attempts.
Tori Meinecke led NCMC starters with an impressive showing, contributing 12 points while showcasing efficiency in her shooting, going 5-8 from the field. Her presence on the boards, particularly grabbing 8 rebounds, demonstrated her effectiveness in both scoring and rebounding.
Nateonia Russell, despite facing some defensive pressure, managed to contribute 4 points and displayed her playmaking ability with 4 assists. Jessica Reeter, known for her scoring prowess, was held to 9 points. She netted just 1 of 5 three-point attempts and added 6 rebounds to her stat line.
Bailey Fleming contributed 6 points, including two successful three-pointers, and Mary Copeland added 7 points, showcasing her ability to draw fouls and convert free throws.
NCMC faced a tough defensive effort from Jefferson College, led by Chaniya Felton, who scored 23 points and produced 5 steals. Despite the challenges, the Lady Pirates held a 1-point lead heading into the 4th quarter but were outscored 26-16 in that period.
32 turnovers plagued the Lady Pirates and challenges at the free-throw line (58.3%) ultimately impacted NCMC's ability to secure the win. The team will look to address these areas as they move into the postseason, building on the positive aspects of their performance and aiming for success in upcoming matchups.