Balanced attack, dominant second half power Northeastern JC to 71-53 win at McCook

Northeastern Junior College closed its road conference schedule in emphatic fashion Saturday night, pulling away after halftime for a 71-53 victory at McCook in McCook, Neb. The Plainswomen broke open a tight game with a decisive second-half surge, turning multiple lead changes early into a lead that ballooned to nearly 30 points in the fourth quarter.

After five lead changes in the first half, Northeastern settled in coming out of the locker room. Forward Riley Phelps set the tone to begin the third quarter, knocking down two quick baskets that sparked the Plainswomen’s control of the half. From there, Northeastern steadily widened the gap with organized half-court offense and sustained defensive pressure that kept McCook from mounting a serious comeback.

Phelps’ impact went beyond the early second-half run. The Keenesburg, Colo., product finished with 14 points and was named DDC Player of the Game, stepping up throughout the night in what was billed as Northeastern’s final road conference contest. Her activity around the rim and energy in transition helped the Plainswomen convert stops into points as the margin grew after halftime.

Northeastern’s perimeter scoring provided the game’s biggest offensive punch. Guard Monique Sena poured in a team-high 23 points, giving the Plainswomen a reliable option in key moments as the lead swung back and forth in the first half and then expanded in the second. Forward Daniela Garcia Gasco added 12 points, giving Northeastern three double-figure scorers and the balance needed to withstand McCook’s early runs.

Defensively, Northeastern tightened up after the break, holding McCook to 53 points overall and limiting second-chance opportunities. The Plainswomen consistently contested shots and controlled the glass, which fueled the transition opportunities that helped stretch the lead into comfortable territory in the fourth quarter. As McCook’s offense cooled, Northeastern continued to find answers on the other end, turning the game from a back-and-forth battle into a one-sided finish.

With the win, Northeastern capped its final road conference game on a high note, showing the ability to respond to early adversity and seize control over the final two quarters. Behind Phelps’ all-around effort, Sena’s scoring outburst and Garcia Gasco’s steady production, the Plainswomen built momentum heading into the stretch run of the schedule, returning home with a convincing conference victory.