MAXON HITS GAME-WINNER IN VICTORY OVER SOUTHEASTERN

NORFOLK, Neb. – Lorna Maxon (Laurel, Neb.) drilled a two-point basket off an assist from Marta Pons (Sevilla, Spain) to give the Northeast Community College women's basketball team a 64-62 victory over Southeastern Community College in a matchup of two ICCAC teams Saturday at the Cox Activities Center in Norfolk.

Ashley Hassett (Hershey, Neb.) added another double-double to her stellar season, as she totaled 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Hawks (8-15, 5-8 ICCAC). Autumn Dickmander (Brule, Neb.) also tallied 16 points and an additional four rebounds. Pons played a crucial role with 13 points that seemed to come at times when the Hawks needed a bucket to fall.

The Hawks trailed 20-13 at the end of the first quarter, but they were able to trim that deficit to 33-29 by halftime. The score was all knotted up at 49-49 by the end of the fourth quarter, and that's when the game started to turn into an instant classic.

With 5:22 remaining in the fourth quarter, Hassett put in a layup to give the Hawks a 61-49 advantage, but the Blackhawks weren't ready to let the Hawks take the win just yet.

The Blackhawks came all the way back from their 10-point deficit, and a made 3-pointer with six seconds to play to even the contest. Head coach Matt Svehla took a timeout to advance the ball to half-court and drew up a perfect play in the Hawks huddle.

Pons inbounded the ball to Dickmander, who passed it back to Pons, who then found an open Maxon for the game-winning shot as Hawks fans jumped with joy.

The Hawks were able to force a Blackhawks turnover in the final seconds to seal the victory.

The Hawks will have a quick turnaround as they travel to Iowa Lakes Community College for a 5:30 p.m. tipoff on Tuesday in Estherville, Iowa.