COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – The Northeast Community College women’s basketball team are now the NJCAA Region XI champions after a 63-60 upset of 11th ranked Iowa Western Community College here Saturday.

“This was a heck of a game,” said Hawks coach Matt Svehla. “With this being the third match-up (this season) between the two of us, points were hard to come by. We had moments where we did not execute very well, but we had good possession down the stretch when it was crunch time.”

With two minutes left in the game, the Hawks gained a six-point lead. In the final minute, Sydney Koel stepped up with a critical and-one play, followed by a string of free throws from Raveen Murray.

“Our defensive effort was solid tonight, and we really battled on the boards,” said Svehla. “This was a great win, and I’m proud of how we battled.”

Three Hawk players scored in the double digits. Maeva Kitantou led the Hawks in scoring with 22 points. Koel finished with 12 and Murray had 11.

Now 27-4, Northeast next enters the district championship, where they host Region 16 winner State Fair Community College on Friday at the Cox Activities Center on the Norfolk campus. Game time is to be announced.