March 28, 2024

Iowa Lakes women slide by SWCC

Lakers take advantage of shorthanded Spartans with big second half

ESTHERVILLE – A shorthanded Southwestern women’s basketball fell to Iowa Lakes 81-55 Wednesday after the Lakers pulled away in the second half.

The Spartans trailed by seven points out of the half, but struggled to stay with ILCC as the Lakers took over the boards.

Iowa Lakes pulled down 16 offensive rebounds in the win as Shareece Smith had an 18-point, 19-rebound double double.

“We’ve done well a majority of the year on rebounding. Sometimes you just have those games where you don’t rebound well and that was one of them,” said SWCC head coach Bryan Austin.

Southwestern had a tough time finding the bottom of the hoop from outside, shooting just 2 of 20 from beyond the arc over the course of the contest.

C’Anne Hunter posted 24 points, hitting eight field goals and sinking all seven of her attempted free throws.

“I think the girls did a phenomenal job of staying in the game. (We) just didn’t knock a lot of shots. 2 for 20 from beyond the arc is not going to get it done in conference play for us,” said Austin. “We will get back at it and we will be OK.”

Southwestern was without Madelyn Moya, Jasmine Aviles and Paola Tavares, who were suspended for the contest after getting arrested for theft Tuesday.

Austin was unsure when he expects the three back in the lineup, but said it will be at some point “in the next week or so.”

UP NEXT – Southwestern (6-11, 0-5) will get a full week off after cancelling its Saturday game with Kishwaukee, due to impending weather. The Spartans will take on Ellsworth at home Wednesday, Jan. 23.

“Focusing on running our sets really well; handling the ball; handling pressure,” said Austin about the main points in upcoming practices. “Execution on the offensive and defensive end on what we’re trying to do. ... I still don’t think we’ve peaked or played our best basketball yet.”

Iowa Lakes 81, Southwestern 55

SWCC (755) — 12 17 13 13

ILCC (81) — 16 20 17 28

SWCC (FG FT PTS) — Totals — 18 17-25 55. C’Anne Hunter 8 7-7 24, Kayela Willis 3 3-4 9, Tina Lair-Van Meter 4 1-2 9, Remie Haynes 1 3-6 5, Kierra Brice 0 3-6 3, Vanessa Romo 1 0-0 3, Simone Jordan 1 0-0 2. 3-point goals — 2 (Hunter 1, Romo 1). Rebounds – 24 (Hunter 7, Lair-Van Meter 5, Brice 4, Romo 3, Jordan 3, Willis 2). Assists – 4 (Romo 3, Willis 1). Steals – 2 (Hunter 1, Jordan 1). Team fouls — 15. Fouled out — Lair-Van Meter.

HIGHLAND (FG FT PTS) — Totals — 27 20-27 81. Samantha Hagedom 9 1-2 24, Breanna Wendland 6 6-10 19, Shareece Smith 4 10-11 18, Bethan Rehse 3 1-2 8, Safiyer Coleman 3 2-2 8, Kaitlyn Reynolds 1 0-0 2, Alisa Anderson 1 0-0 2. 3-point goals —7 (Hagedom 5, Wendland 1, Rehse 1). Rebounds – 47 (Smith 19, Wendland 6, Reynolds 5). Assists – 9 (Smith 2, Reynolds 2, Rehse 2). Steals – 9 (Wendland 3, Smith 2, Rehse 2). Team fouls — 17. Fouled out — Wendland.