Article Courtesy of The Daily Nonpareil.
Council Bluffs, IA
The Iowa Western women used a strong third quarter to get past Northeast Community College 65-58 Wednesday night in a key Region XI conference matchup.
Down three at the half, the Reivers outscored the Hawks 23-10 in the third frame. Northeast cut the lead to three multiple times in the fourth quarter, but Iowa Western was able to execute down the stretch to hold on.
"Huge game for us, a very exciting win," Reiver coach Lindsey Vande Hoef said.
Jaiden Morris led Iowa Western with 20 points while adding five rebounds. Arielle McElroy scored 12 points off the bench. Vande Hoef also singled out Ladun Akako, who grabbed nine rebounds to go with eight points.
Beth Matas led Northeast with 20 points, while Kyla Moore scored 15 points.
The Reivers and Hawks of Norfolk, Nebraska split their season series, with both teams winning by seven points at home. They remain tied at 2-1 for the three-team Region IX lead. If it stays that way — both teams have one region game remaining, against Marshalltown — it'll go to strength of schedule for the top seed in the region tournament, which will come with a first-round bye.
Vande Hoef said if her team takes care of business against Marshalltown, she's confident the Reivers' will come out ahead on strength of schedule — which factors in win-loss record, road wins and has a point system related to the number of games against NJCAA Division I and Division II teams.
"We need that win to stay alive," Vande Hoef said. "It was an important game."
The Reivers will travel to face their only other Region XI opponent, Marshalltown, on Saturday, February 1. Tip-off is set for 5:00 p.m.
