GIRLS WIN ON THE ROAD AGAINST HBC

Can a big win turn around a season? That is the question the MCC Rebel Girls will get a chance to answer over the next week or two. The Rebels came into Tuesday’s game at Hills Beaver Creek with a couple of frustrating losses in the last week to Lakeview and MLAC, when the Rebels had chances to climb to 500 on the season. With those two chances going by the wayside and three games in the week against teams with winning records, the Rebels needed to step up and they did just that.

The Rebels went to Hills on Tuesday where they were looking to play well and see how they stack up against one of the tougher teams in the conference. The Rebels didn’t just match up with the Patriots, they would come away with their biggest win in years. The Rebels fell behind early as the Patriots started strong, jumping out to a 9-0 lead. MCC answered back with Abby Overman hitting a three-point shot from the left wing and the Rebels would chip away at the Patriot’s lead until it was gone. Then they continued to build on their lead. MCC would take the lead into the halftime break 31 to 25.

The second half saw the Rebels hold on until nearly the eight-minute mark of the game when the Patriots reclaimed the lead 41-40. The Rebels trailed 48 to 46 with 1:38 to play. MCC had possession of the ball. Jayda Hellewell was fouled going to the basket and the senior drained both free throws to tie the score at 4848. The Rebels got a defensive stop and the ball on a jump ball, but the Rebels failed to score. MCC was back on defense and Abby Overman, who had her best game since her Freshman season, came up with a huge steak and was fouled, sending her to the free throw line. The senior made her first, giving the Rebels the lead 49 to 48. Her second free throw was missed but Thea Schneider got the rebound and the Rebels called timeout. With 19 seconds left, the Rebels would inbound the basketball to Taylor Larson who was fouled by the Patriots. The junior forward stepped to the line and calmly hit both free throws to put the Rebels up 51 to 48. The Rebels, earlier this season, had to protect a smaller lead on the road with under ten seconds to play and they came up short because of a foul. This time, the Rebel’s Jayda Hellewell blocked the three-point shot and the Rebels got a huge 51 to 48 win.

The Rebels Abby Overman had a huge game. The Senior made 4 of her 5 three point shots which equaled the number of three-point makes by the entire Patriot team. She led the team in rebounds and assists and had the key steal late in the game. The Rebels struggled at the free throw line against MLAC last Friday but on Tuesday it was the key to the win, as the Rebels made 14 of 22 free throws and the final five of the game to tie the game and then to win it. Taylor Larson has struggled as of late and she came up with 11 huge points. Ava Deacon scored 10. Lily Daniels and Jayda Hellewell scored 7 each. It was the biggest win for the Rebel girls in recent memory, but two big tests are to come later this week against Adrian Ellsworth and WWG.