First quarter success gives way to stale finish

Last season, the Spartans finished last in the ICCAC, going 1-17 in conference play.

This year’s conference opener started on a positive note for the Spartans (3-4, 0-1) as they ended the first quarter in a 14-14 tie. From there, the momentum fizzled, ending in a 70-48 win by visiting Iowa Western Community College (4-3, 1-0).

The Southwestern women put the first points on the board with a shot by Jaide McPhee, but the Reivers put together a 13-7 lead in the first five minutes of the game, but the Spartans held them to just one point through the final half of the quarter.

Fantine Adgnot made a 3-pointer for SWCC to close the lead to just three points. She followed with two free throws to make it a 1-point game.

The Reivers had the opportunity to score four points in two free-throw line appearances, but made only one of the baskets.

Iowa Western went 7-of-15 from the free throw line while Southwestern finished 11-of-18.

The quarter ended on a tie after the Spartans’ Maddie Richter sank two free throws.

From there, the Reivers took off, outscoring the Spartans 20-10 in the second and 16-8 in the third quarter.

Adgnot had a game-high 20 points, sinking five 3-pointers.

McPhee finished with 13 points and six rebounds. Roslynn Huston also came down with six rebounds.

The Reivers shut down Huston who finished with no points after scoring a game-high 19 points against Graceland University JV on Nov. 17.

The Spartans made only 28.8% of shots from the field, compared to 34.2% from Iowa Western.

The Reivers were led by Sydney Donaldson, finishing with 17 points. Aniyah Howard had 13 and Sophie Sarratt scored 12 off the bench. Donaldson and Sarratt combined for nine 3-pointers.

Once again, turnovers plagued Spartan play. They finished with 22 turnovers, 18 of which were steals by the Reivers.

The Spartans’ game scheduled for Monday against Peru State College JV was postponed.

Tomorrow Southwestern travels to play at Ellsworth Community College before hosting DMACC Saturday in a doubleheader.

SOUTHWESTERN (48) — Totals — (FG FT PTS) 15 11-18 48. Fantine Adgnot 6 3-5 20; Jaide McPhee 6 1-1 13; Jordyn Hall 1 3-4 5; Maddie Richter 1 2-4 5; Tammy Scott 1 0-0 3; Nora Olano 0 2-2 2. FG shooting — 15-52 (28.8 percent). 3-point goals — 7-24 (Adgnot 5, Scott 1, Richter 1). Rebounds — 29 (McPhee 6, Roslynn Huston 6, Richter 5). Assists — 9 (Hall 3, Adgnot 2, McPhee 2, LaiLah Austin 2). Steals — 1 (Hall). Turnovers — 22. Team fouls — 16. Fouled out — None.

IOWA WESTERN (70) — Totals — (FG FT PTS) 26 7-15 70. Sydney Donaldson 5 2-2 17; Aniyah Howard 6 1-2 13; Sophie Sarratt 4 0-0 12; Kailynne Small 3 1-6 7; Kaity Driskell 2 0-0 5; Grace Albertsen 2 1-2 5; Jordyn Rohlfsen 1 0-0 3; Jade Lewis 1 1-1 3; Savannah Appel 1 1-2 3 FG shooting — 26-76 (34.2 percent). 3-point goals — 11-36 (Donaldson 5, Sarratt 4, Driskell 1, Rohlfsen 1). Rebounds — 51 (Lewis 7, Howard 6, Albertsen 6, Rohlfsen 6). Assists — 21 (Driskell 6). Steals — 18 (Howard 3, Appel 3). Blocked shots — 3. Turnovers — 13. Team fouls —12. Fouled out — None.