Second half intensity propels SWCC women

Southwestern Community College women’s basketball (6-7) picked up its second win against Marshalltown Community College (4-9) this season in an 81-68 contest Monday night.

It was slow going in the first half with a combined 21 fouls on both teams. With such a stop-and-go pace, SWCC head coach Bryan Austin said its hard to find a consistent tempo.

“It’s tough to get into a little rhythm,” said Austin. “You’ve just got to try and push through, keep going and keep attacking the basket. Don’t foul on one end, so you still have that momentum that you need. And, it doesn’t hold you back from feeling like ‘I can’t do this because I went to the basket, and it was a turnover.’”

Despite the numerous foul calls early, SWCC was able to produce 17 points in the first quarter. The Spartans were able to move the ball around with contributions from six different players early.

MCC was able to run screens offensively which set up foul shots leading to multiple free throw opportunities and three-point-plays. The Tigers took advantage, which contributed to an 18 point first quarter.

Despite SWCC’s early success, the Spartans trailed 18-17 at the end of the first quarter.

The Spartans and Tigers traded baskets in the first few minutes before Brielle Baker scored seven points – two 3-pointers – in three consecutive possessions. After that, things picked up with the ball being pushed up the floor on both sides, and defenses had to pick up the intensity to get back.

With a seemingly new game because of the pace, the offenses went back-and-forth trading points off of free throws and inside shots. With less than 20 seconds remaining in the half, Baker grabbed two offensive rebound on the same possession to cut MCC’s lead to 38-37 going into halftime.

Starting the second half, Simone Jordan came out to score the first five points for SWCC on a 3-point-play and an inside move which gave the Spartans the lead. MCC wouldn’t go down easily as they hit three 3-pointers to keep the game close.

The Spartans went on an 11-2 run to end the third quarter on top, 62-51. Baker and Eden Billups-Campbell led the third quarter charge putting up 12 of SWCC’s 25 points during a strong second half start.

Austin said that Baker follows through on what the coaching staff preaches, recognizing what is given and taking it.

“She just attacks the basket,” said Austin. “She takes advantage of opportunities when she sees them, and that’s one thing that we harp on, reacting to what’s given to you. She does a great job of reacting to what is given. She’s just a natural athlete, natural scorer.”

With an 18 point lead, things became tight as MCC hung around to cut the lead to a five-point-game midway through the fourth quarter. The Tigers were able to score without the clock moving at the free throw line, giving them enough time potentially make a comeback.

That didn’t happen as Baker and Jordan took over to end the game. Baker put up 10 points and Jordan scored seven in a 19 point fourth quarter to take win.

Baker finished with a team-leading 20 points while Jordan followed with 15 points. Baker and Jordan, both, grabbed eight rebounds to lead the team.

Austin’s message for his team with the close score in the final five minutes was simple.

“Just take care of the little things,” said Austin. “If we can control the little things that we can control, then we’ll be OK, and we started to do that. We didn’t turn the ball over. We attacked the basket. If you value the basketball, then good things will happen.”

UP NEXT – SWCC plays a home game against Kansas City Kansas Community College Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.

SWCC (81) — 17 20 25 19

MCC (68) — 18 20 13 17

SWCC (FG FT PTS) — Totals —27 21-34 81. Brielle Baker 6 7-11 20, Simone Jordan 6 3-5 15, Kaylynn Tucker 4 4-5 12, Kayela Willis 4 2-2 10, Eden Bilups-Campbell 3 0-1 8, Meghan Allen 1 0-0 7, Samantha Hagedorn 2 1-6 5, Whynter Waterhouse-Brennan 1 2-2 4. FG shooting – 27-48 (56.3%). 3-point goals (4) — Willis (2), Baker (1), Hagedorn (1). Team fouls — 24. Fouled out — None. Rebounds – 48 (Baker 8, Jodran 8, Allen 7, Hagedorn 5). Assists – 13 (Tucker 5). Steals – 4 (Baker 2). Blocked shots – None. Turnovers – 10. Team fouls – 21. Fouled out – None.

MCC (FG FT PTS) — Totals — 24 7-17 68. Carla Collado 5 2-2 16, Laurin Lyons 5 0-0 12, Eva Carballo 3 4-5 10, Eva Zaragonza 3 2-3 8, Lotte van Malsen 3 0-0 7, Whitley Ervin 2 2-2 6, Danielle Smith 1 2-3 4, Rachelle Smith 2 0-3 4, Dana Stokes 0 1-2 1. FG shooting — 24-50 (48%). 3-point goals (7) — Collado (4), Lyons (2), Malsen (1). Rebounds — 28 (Lyons 7, Smith 6, Zaragoza 5). Assists — 12 (Collado 4, Carballo 3). Steals —1. Blocked shots — 2. Turnovers — 4. Team fouls — 26. Fouled out — Lyons, Malsen.