No. 14 NIACC women roll to 116-76 victory
By David Durbala, Of The Globe Gazette
MASON CITY – After two games, it is evident that, despite its inexperience, the NIACC women's basketball team has figured out the offensive end of the court.
Against Bryant and Stratton College on the second day of the Konigsmark Klassic, the Lady Trojans put up 65 points in the second half alone en route to a 116-76 win.
After two games, the Lady Trojans are averaging more than 105 point per game.
"They really want the other kids to score," NIACC coach Todd Ciochetto said of his Lady Trojans offensive capabilities. "Everyone can play."
NIACC bolted out to a 9-0 lead early, but the Bobcats fought back midway through the first quarter until the Lady Trojans outscored the Bobcats 9-2 over the final two minutes of the quarter.
From there, the Lady Trojan offense started to click as Kelsie Willert and Courtney Larson both reached double figures in scoring by halftime.
The Lady Trojans took over the game in the second half when they shot better than 49 percent from the floor and 80 percent from the free-throw line.
Defensively, Ciochetto felt that the Lady Trojans improved from the first game of the season.
"We did some better things defensively," Ciochetto said. "With a couple of easy fixes, we could be a good defensive team."
Taylor Laabs scored 18 points in the second half and finished with 21 to lead five Lady Trojans in double figures.
Willert finished with 17 points while Larson had 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Hattie Davidson added 13 points and seven rebounds while Carly Seely had 12.
Cierra Stanciel, the Lady Trojans' leading scorer in their first game, finished with nine points and 10 assists.
Marci Wolters, a freshman from Mason City High School, added six points and five rebounds in 12 minutes of play.
NIACC (2-0) returns to the court on Friday when it travels to Iowa Falls to play in the Dale Howard Classic.
The Lady Trojans will face Little Priest Tribal College at 2 p.m. on Friday.
