RICHARDS, BRAAKHUIS AND TEAM DEFENSE LEAD HAWKS OVER PANTHERS

NORFOLK, Neb. – The Northeast Community College women's basketball team was back in their home gym Wednesday night as they battled with Ellsworth Community College at the Cox Activities Center in Norfolk. The Hawks grabbed a victory by a final score of 66-58 to get back into the win column.

Northeast (7-9, 4-4 ICCAC) protected the ball well most of the night as they forced the Panthers into 25 turnovers compared to just 10 of their own. Allison Richards (Pine Ridge, S.D.) led all scorers with 29 points while Merel Braakhuis (Manderveen, Netherlands) chipped in her second-highest point total of the season with 10 of her own. The Hawks were able to secure their first triumph of the spring semester as they will now stay home and welcome Southeastern Community College to Norfolk on Saturday.

STAT SHEET:

Allison Richards (Pine Ridge, S.D.): 29 PTS, 4 REB, 2 AST, 4 STL

Merel Braakhuis (Manderveen, Netherlands): 10 PTS, 3 REB

Rylyn Cast (York, Neb.): 6 PTS, 3 REB, 2 AST, STL

HEAR FROM THE HAWKS COACH:

Head Women's Basketball Coach Matt Svehla on the big night from Allison Richards and his team:

"Allison had a big first half for us," Svehla said. "This was very much a collective win, and I thought our team played with good effort and did a good job defensively."

Svehla on using this positive momentum heading into Saturday:

"We are still trying to find our legs from semester break, but hopefully this will get us going as we head into another regional game this Saturday," Svehla said.

UP NEXT:

The Hawks will again be at home and will take on Southeastern Community College at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Cox Activities Center in Norfolk.

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