Northeast women top Iowa Western for first ICCAC win

NORFOLK, Neb. – In a back-and-forth ICCAC battle, it was the Northeast Community women's basketball team that came out on top Saturday night.

The Hawks (16-2, 1-0 ICCAC) shot 42 percent from the field as they downed Iowa Western Community College, 70-63 at the Cox Activities Center in Norfolk.

Iowa Western jumped out early to a 12-4 lead in the first quarter, but back-to-back baskets by Emina Hadzihusejnovic (Mostar, Bosnia) and Julia Carbonell (Barcelona, Spain) pulled the Hawks with two points with 2:55 to play. Carbonell ultimately gave the Hawks their first lead of the game late in the quarter after nailing a deep 3-pointer.

The second quarter was stagnant early, but Beth Matas (Girona, Spain) gave the Hawks some momentum as they took a 31-28 lead. Northeast went on to take a 33-32 lead at halftime after Kyla Moore (Norfolk, Neb.) hit a jumper with a minute to play in the first half.

Matas got the Hawks going early in the third quarter after she back-to-back free throws, followed by a 3-pointer to give Northeast an eight-point edge. Macey Kulhanek (Howells, Neb.) quickly accounted for six points in a span of two minutes after she was sent to the line twice and later followed with a mid-range jumper.

Moore went to work in the fourth quarter for the Hawks as she made back-to-back jumpers and followed with the old fashion three-point play to put the Hawks up by 11 points. With 7:43 to play in the game, Lorna Maxon (Laurel, Neb.) nailed a crucial 3-pointer that gave Northeast a 14-point lead. The Hawks held steady the rest of the way on the defensive end to put the game out of reach for the Reivers.

Matas led the Hawks with 17 points and eight assists. Moore added 11 points, while Kulhanek and Hadzihusjnovic had 10 points each.

The Hawks are back in action at 5 p.m. Monday when they host Hastings College JV in Norfolk.

For all news related to Northeast Community College athletics, visit northeasthawks.com for complete coverage. Fans can also follow the Hawks on Twitter @NortheastHawks for game-day coverage.