JONES SCORES GO-AHEAD BUCKET FOR NORTHEAST IN VICTORY OVER ELLSWORTH

NORFOLK, Neb. – The Northeast Community College women's basketball team was back in action after the Thanksgiving break for a showdown with Ellsworth Community College at the Cox Activities Center in Norfolk. The Hawks took the matchup by a final score of 73-69.

Northeast (6-2, 1-1 ICCAC) lost to Iowa Central Community College by just one point last Tuesday night and were tied again late in Sunday's contest against the Panthers, but Aaliyah Jones (Rapid City, S.D.) made a jump shot and two free throws during the final 30 seconds of the ballgame to give Northeast their first conference victory of the season.

The Hawks shot 21-24 from the free-throw line and had 36 points in the paint compared to just 22 from Ellsworth. Northeast will hit the road for the first time since November 5 as they will take on Iowa Lakes Community and Southeastern Community College during away trips this week.

STAT SHEET:

Aaliyah Jones (Rapid City, S.D.): 25 PTS, 12 REB, 8 STL

Aweng Akoi (Sioux Falls, S.D.): 16 PTS, 4 BLK, 3 REB

Jana Lopez (Girona, Spain): 8 PTS, 2 REB, 2 AST

HEAR FROM THE HAWKS COACH:

Head Women's Basketball Coach Matt Svehla on securing the victory late Sunday:

"It was tied at 69-69 and it was anyone's ballgame," Svehla said. "It was a matter of who could get the ball to go into the basket. Aaliyah made the basket and free throws. I liked our defensive effort at the end of the game, and I like how we executed our sideline in bounds. We held on and we're going to play a lot of these games. They're sometimes coin flip games, and you have to play well at the end. The other night it wasn't in our favor, but tonight it was."

Svehla on the week ahead:

"We have two road games coming up this next week," Svehla said. "it's always difficult on the road, so we'll enjoy this one and get ready to go to Iowa Lakes."

UP NEXT:

The Hawks will hit the road and will take on Iowa Lakes Community College at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in Estherville, Iowa.

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