MASON CITY – Survive and advance.
The NIACC women’s basketball team survived a 24.6 percent shooting night from the field and topped Iowa Central 56-51 in the first round of the NJCAA Region XI tournament on Tuesday night in the NIACC gym.
NIACC’s defense forced Iowa Central into 40 turnovers – 20 in each half.
NIACC advanced to Thursday’s regional final four contest at DMACC. Game time is set for 5:30 p.m.
DMACC topped Iowa Lakes 63-53 in its tournament opener on Tuesday.
DMACC won both regular season contests against NIACC. The Bears won 71-58 in Mason City on Jan. 14 and 97-79 on Feb. 11 in Boone.
Sophomore Morgan Cuffe put the Lady Trojans in front 52-51 with 25 seconds remaining. Freshman UU Longs came up with a steal on Iowa Central’s next possession.
NIACC converted four free throws in the final seconds to advance to the regional final four for the fourth straight season.
Taylor Laabs led NIACC with 12 points. Adria Stewart and Kelsie Willert both scored 10 points for the Lady Trojans.
Iowa Central was led by Michaela Graffunder with 13 points. Rachel Toto was next in line for the Tritons with 12 points.
NIACC 56, Iowa Central 51
Iowa Central 11 9 15 16 – 51
NIACC 3 14 19 20 – 56
Iowa Central – Rachel Toto 12, Kayla Morgan 5, Michaela Graffunder 13, Sarah Rolling 2, Ashley Turcotte 9, Meagan Woodward 8, Madison Jensen 2. Totals – 18-43 10-14 51.
NIACC – Taylor Laabs 12, Morgan Cuffe 6, Adria Stewart 10, Riley Galvin 8, Courtney Larson 5, Kelsie Willert 10, Hattie Davidson 5. Totals – 17-69 16-20 56.
3-point goals – Iowa Central (5-15): Toto 3, Turcotte 1, Woodward 1. NIACC (6-45): Laabs 2, Stewart 2, Galvin 2. Total fouls – Iowa Central 20, NIACC 15. Fouled out – none.