Seward County Falls in Centennial State to Northeastern

Liberal, Kansas – After a rough week in conference action, the Seward County Lady Saints women's basketball team made a trip out west to resume their nonconference schedule as they traveled to the Centennial State of Colorado to take on the formally nationally ranked Northeastern Plainswomen where the Lady Saints were unable to capitalize, falling on the road 80-52 in Sterling.

After shooting just 17.7% over the past two contests, the Lady Saints' shooting struggles continued against the Plainswomen to start the game, only managing to score two baskets in the first quarter thanks to a reverse layup by Jamia Carter and a three-pointer from Alianna Colon in a tight low scoring first ten minutes of action with both teams entering the second locked up at 11-11.

NJC was able to push in front early in the second quarter with their lead growing to as large as five until Allie Myers was able to pull in an offensive rebound for an easy second chance opportunity that brought SCCC within three at 18-15. Carter was able to turn defense into offense with a steal leading to a fast break score that cut the deficit down to one and force Northeastern into a timeout with their lead down to 19-18 before wrapping up the half scoring another four points to put the Lady Saints behind 23-18 going into the break.

Seward County was able to finally find some offensive rhythm in the opening minutes of the third quarter with Kayla Peoples cashing in from long-range to spark a 5-0 run for the Lady Saints. Northeastern however also found some rhythm that turned into a barrage from beyond the arc which led to a 15-7 run for NJC who grew their lead out to 38-25. Carter joined in on the three-point contest with a knock down shot from the top of the arc off an assist from Myers to chip away at the Plainswomen's advantage before Myers scored the last six points for SCCC to go into the final quarter down 52-38.

Through the final ten minutes it was all Northeastern as they swiftly grew their lead out to twenty-five as Seward County attempted to claw back within reach from a 67-42 deficit. Kya Richardson came off the bench and provided some energy with a sneaky steal that led to a fast break layup for her first points of the game but couldn't help the Lady Saints get any closer as NJC finished the night with their first win of the twenty-first century against Seward County with the final score sitting at 80-52.

Myers finished the night with a double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds while Peoples ended the game with 12 points while Carter added in another 11 to go with 4 steals.

The Lady Saints now fall to 5-5 on the 2023-2024 season and will return back home to the Green House to play host of the Seward County Christmas Classic where they will face #16 Odessa on Saturday and then Kilgore on Sunday to end the 2023 calendar year.