A career high 18 points from Mesha Smith was not enough for the Lady Storm as they fell to North Platte Community College, 59-50, Saturday, Jan. 17, at the Truman Center.
“Mesha played a great game,” Co-Head Coach Vicki Wooton said.
The coach said she has been working with Smith on her conditioning.
“I told her we need her out on the court more,” Wooton added.
Smith’s 18 points came in 22 minutes of game action.
SCC took a 30-25 halftime lead, powered by good free throw shooting and a stifling defense.
“We did a good job in the first half of pressuring the ball and keeping it out of the ‘bigs’ hands,” Wooton explained.
NPCC outscored Southeast in the second half 34-20.
“(In the) second half we struggled to hit easy shots (and) had too many fouls,” Wooton continued. “I feel like we lost focus, and that is something we need to work on in practice.”
North Platte’s Devonte Merritt dominated the paint in the second half, pouring in 22 points and grabbing 16 rebounds. April Stull added 16 points and 16 rebounds.
The Lady Knights shot 45 percent for the game while holding SCC to 29 percent shooting.
Chelsea Savage also scored 18 for the Lady Storm while Brianna Grant and Dionne Martin each pulled down six rebounds.
The loss drops SCC record to 11-10 and 1-1 in the conference.