Lady Indians defeat Southwest in Region 23 quarterfinals
Lee Adams/LetsGoICC.com
CLINTON, MS - The Itawamba Community College women's basketball team defeated Southwest Mississippi Community College 58-57 to open the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament Wednesday.
The Lady Indians (21-6) had a bit of deja vu as they found themselves in a battle with the Lady Bears, who they defeated 58-52 in the MACJC Tournament last week.
In the back-and-forth game, the Lady Indians trailed by eight midway through the second quarter, but big baskets by Grace Elliott (New Site) and Marlee Hatcher (Pontotoc) powered the Lady Indians to a 34-28 lead at halftime.
The game was deadlocked in the third quarter as both teams captured and lost leads, but after three complete the teams were knotted at 43-43.
With the game still tied in the closing minutes, extra effort by Elliott to chase down a loose ball and find Alontra Tucker (Lamar) to hit a jumper to put the Lady Indians up 56-54.
Elliott drew a foul and drained both free throws with under 10 seconds remaining to extend the lead to four points, which proved to be the difference after Southwest hit a three-pointer with 3.1 remaining. The Lady Indians held on to pick up the 58-57 quarterfinal victory and advance the semifinals.
Hatcher led the Lady Indians with 17 points, followed by Erika Toney (Horn Lake) with 14 and Elliot with 10.
Gabriella Cortez paced the Lady Bears with a game-high 20 points.
The Lady Indians will take on Baton Rouge Community College (LA) Friday at 2:00 pm in the NJCAA Region 23 Semifinals.
In other Quaterfinal action:
Baton Rouge 76, Jones County 63
Holmes 77, East Central 75
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