Lady Stars earn hard-fought victory over Chargers

Rich Schenck
Sports Editor

The LCC women's basketball team (3-5 MCCAA West, 7-14 overall) toughed out a much-needed 59-50 victory over visiting Ancilla College (4-4 MCCAA West, 14-7 overall) Jan. 27 in the Gannon Gym.

The win gave the Lady Stars two wins in their past three contest.

"It serves several purposes for us to pull this out," LCC Head Coach Ervin Brunson said. "There were sequences where we were able to maintain a lead and be able to still learn about each other."

LCC sophomore Nariyel Purches' first career double-double of 16 points and game-high 14 rebounds led the way against the visiting Lady Chargers. LCC freshmen guards Morgan Neeley and Courtney Wolf chipped in 11 points each.

Sophomore Mackenzie Geister scored 13 points for LCC and again showed off her range, shooting 50 percent (3 of 6) from three-point range.

"They played so aggressive," Brunson said. "The girls stepped up and were just as aggressive."

Lack of height has been an issue all year long for the Lady Stars, which made its 49-rebound effort against a much taller Ancilla a watershed moment for the team.

"They attacked the basket every chance they got, especially in the rebounding department," Brunson said. "Our girls were just able to go in there, mix it up and realize that we can compete with some of these teams."

Ancilla stayed in a full-court press for nearly the entire game, testing Neeley's ability to control the floor. Smart passing and opportune positioning made the visitors commit timely fouls to stop the momentum.

LCC made the most of its trips to the charity stripe, hitting 60 percent (15 of 25). Ancilla struggled mightily at the line all night, converting only 25 percent (4 of 16) and missing key free throws late.

"There are a lot of good teams in our conference," Brunson said. "We need to be able to make runs when necessary and be disciplined when teams are coming at us. It was a calming effect for the girls and they were relieved about the victory."

The Lady Stars were schedule to travel to Jackson to face struggling Jackson College (1-7 MCCAA West, 3-17 overall) Jan. 30.