DMACC’s defense stifles Spartans

A stingy defense that didn’t allow Southwestern to surpass 20 points until midway through the third quarter carried the 16th-ranked Des Moines Area Community College women to a 67-38 victory over Southwestern Saturday.

The Spartan defensive effort was solid much of the day, holding the 11-0 Bears below 70 points. Southwestern played the Bears evenly in a 14-14 third quarter. But, there wasn’t enough offensive production to stay on pace for the entire game as DMACC improved to 3-0 in ICCAC play. Southwestern fell to 3-6 overall and 0-3 in league action.

“I think it’s a matter of we’re still adjusting to that physicality,” Spartan coach Kori Zarzutzki said. “We have 11 freshmen and they’re just not used to what it takes, compared to where they were last year. Their (DMACC) defense is good. We have to secure the ball with two hands, and get better on the defensive glass.”

DMACC finished with a 50-28 rebounding edge, including 18 on the offensive end. Southwestern shot just 25.5% from the field and had 17 turnovers to DMACC’s seven. That combination spelled trouble for a Spartan squad that went into halftime facing a 34-14 deficit.

Jaide McPhee, 5-8 freshman from Australia, led the Spartans with 11 points while grabbing five rebounds. Point guard Jordyn Hall of Danielsville, Georgia had a team-high three assists and scored six points. Fantine Adgnot snared six rebounds.

Freshman guard Brooklyn Valley scored 17 points for DMACC and twin sister Jordan Valley had four steals. Missy Evezic, 6-4 sophomore center from Council Bluffs St. Albert, scored 14 points. Jaxy Knight of Mount Ayr grabbed three rebounds with one assist in a reserve role.

The Spartans lost 52-50 at Graceland JV on Sunday before getting back into conference action Wednesday at Central Community College of Columbus, Nebraska.

SOUTHWESTERN (38) — Totals — (FG FT PTS) 14 6-13 38. Jaide McPhee 4 1-3 11, Jordyn Hall 2 1-2 6, Fantine Adgnot 2 0-0 5, Maddie Richter 1 2-6 4, Roslynn Huston 2 0-0 4, LaiLah Austin 1 2-2 4, Tammy Scott 1 0-0 2, Shoval Dor 1 0-0 2. FG shooting — 14-55 (25.5 percent). 3-point goals — 4-20 (McPhee 2, Hall 1, Adgnot 1). Rebounds — 28 (Adgnot 6, Richter 5, McPhee 5, Huston 4). Assists — 8 (Austin 2). Steals — 3 (McPhee 2). Turnovers — 17. Team fouls — 13. Fouled out — None.

DMACC (67) — Totals — (FG FT PTS) 28 6-10 67. Brooklyn Valley 5 2-2 17, Missy Evezic 7 0-0 14, Alivia Carr 5 2-5 12, Breeley Clayburg 5 0-0 10, Whitney Jensen 3 0-0 6, Reagan Wheeler 2 0-0 4, Chloe Costello 0 2-2 2, Alli Sheldahl 1 0-1 2. FG shooting — 28-80 (35 percent). 3-point goals — 5-30 (B. Valley 5). Rebounds — 50 (Jensen 10, Clayburg 8). Assists — 17 (Jensen 5, V. Valley 4). Steals — 9 (J. Valley 4, B. Valley 2). Blocked shots — 5. Turnovers — 7. Team fouls —13. Fouled out — None.