BEATRICE – The Northeast Community College women’s basketball team survived a 52-48 road win here Saturday over Southeast Community College. It was a close game throughout as the Hawks only had a one point advantage at half-time 29-28.

Matt Svehla, Northeast coach, said his team shot a season low for field goal percentage (29%) and also scored a season low for points. “We average over 80 points per game and we just couldn’t find the center of the rim. We had all the open looks that we wanted from 3 point range, but the ball didn’t go in.  Our free throw shooting was good (11-12) and that was helpful in a close ballgame.”

Svehla credits the Hawks’ defense in salvaging the win. “Coaches always talk about falling back on your defense when you have poor shooting games and this was one of those games.  Our second half defense really bailed us out.  Holding them to 20 points in the second half allowed us to overcome our poor shooting.  I hate how we shot, but I’m proud how we could fall back on our defense to get the win,” Svehla said.

For Northeast, Emily Gamble finished with 12 points while Alison Klostergaard had 10 points and 13 rebounds. Also for the Hawks, Lexi Murphy had nine points, Ena Viso had eight, Jamea Coleman and Megan Trinder each had five, and Yasmin Miller had three.

With the victory, Northeast improves to 19-2.

On Tuesday, the Hawks travel to Iowa’s capitol city to take on Des Moines Area Community College. Tip-off is at 5 p.m.