Women’s Basketball: Lakers Hold Off Raiders

The Central Community College women's basketball team lost to Iowa Lakes Community College, 67-63, in the Pinnacle Bank Thanksgiving Classic on Sunday.

The visiting Lakers took the first quarter, 15-10. In the second stanza, the Raiders outscored Iowa Lakes, 15-10, to tie the game at 25 apiece with under four minutes to play in the half. The Lakers went on to take a 32-30 edge at halftime.

The Raiders notched their first lead of the game, 36-34, when Brittney Veik hit a jump shot at the 7:32 mark of the third quarter. CCC took a 45-42 advantage into the fourth quarter. Central posted its biggest lead at 50-42 when Bailey Keller sank a three-point basket with 7:53 remaining. The Raiders kept their lead intact as time winded down. However, with 1:13 left in regulation, Amy Mitchell scored what turned out to be the final CCC basket and the Lakers rattled off an 8-0 run to secure the 67-63 win.

Mitchell and Veik led CCC's scoring charge with 21 and 20 points, respectively.

"I am proud of the girls for fighting until the end," said CCC head coach Billy Perkins. "However, our poor free throw shooting toward end of the game helped Iowa Lakes win the game."

The Raiders have lost four straight and own a record of 5-5.

Up next, CCC will take part in the Southeast Community College Holiday Classic on Friday and Saturday in Beatrice. On Friday at 2 p.m., the Raiders will meet Highland (Kan.) Community College. On Saturday at noon, CCC will battle Fort Scott (Kan.) Community College.