Over 20 turnovers and a couple key runs by the opponent again proved too much for the Pratt Community College womens basketball team to overcome in an 89-71 loss last night at Neosho County.
“We continue to let teams go on runs. It was a seven point game with five minutes to go in the (first) half and a 15 point game with two to go,” PCC coach Stephanie Shanline said.
PCC trailed 49-34 at halftime, but rallied to make a game of it in the second half.
The Beavers cut Neosho County’s lead to eight points in the second half, but the Panthers quickly responded with a three-pointer to stop Pratt’s momentum.
Neosho County went on to capture the win and improve to 2-1 on the season, while Pratt fell to 0-4.
One of the biggest problems for PCC was turnovers, as the Beavers committed 25 in the game, and Neosho  County turned them into 22 points.
“I had three sophomores combine for 17 of our 25 turnovers,” Shanline said. “We have to have better leadership on the floor and someone who is willing to run our team.”
Pratt was also out-rebounded, 54-39, but the Beavers did match Neosho County on second-chance points.
A big part of that was due to PCC’s post play, which was not expected to be a strength this season due to an overall lack of height.
“I am very pleased with the efforts of Randa Brown, Ashton Stout, and Sydney Moore,” Shanline said. “They are working extremely hard and giving us a lot of good minutes. We have to get that same effort from our guard play.”
Shanline remains focused on improving her team’s defense, and her goal is still to hold opponents to 60 points per game.
“Defense has to be this team’s main priority,” she said.
Pratt was led by Wyneisha Webb with 18 points, five rebounds, and five assists. The point guard connected on 11 of 15 free throws during the game.
PCC also got 14 points from freshman guard Corinna Hoyt, who nailed four three-pointers and also dished out two assists.
Leanda Martinez and Randa Brown chipped in with nine points each, and Martinez swiped a pair of steals while Brown controlled five rebounds.
Ashton Stout grabbed nine rebounds to go with seven points. Jazmine Bell scored eight points and Sydney Moore finished with eight rebounds.
The Beavers made 22 of 60 field goals, including just six of 24 from long range. Pratt did make 32 trips to the free throw liine, knocking down 21 attempts.
Neosho County got a game-high 21 points from Ashley Milian, who also controlled 16 rebounds. Kaitlyn Biehl and Fila Smith added 17 each.
The Panthers made 34 of 77 shots on the night, but just eight of 31 three-pointers. They also hit 13 of 22 free throws and came up with 19 steals.
PCC will be back in action Friday in the Wendy’s Classic at Liberal. The Beavers will take on Frank Phillips at 2 p.m. Friday and Clarendon at 2 p.m. Saturday. The Wendy’s Classic is hosted by Seward County Comunity College, and games will be played in the Greenhouse.
Pratt’s home opener is set for Tuesday, Nov. 18 against the Bethel College junior varsity. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. in Dennis Lesh Sports Arena.
Neosho County 89, Pratt 71
Pratt (0-4): Wyneisha Webb 3-7 11-15 18, Corinna Hoyt 5-13 0-0 14, Randa Brown 4-9 1-2 9, Leanda Martinez 3-9 3-3 9, Jazmine Bell 2-8 3-5 8, Ashton Stout 2-7 3-5 7, Sydney Moore 2-4 0-0 4, Whitney Slater 1-2 0-0 2, Hayley Hunsberger 0-1 0-2 0. Totals: 22-60 21-32 71.
Neosho County (2-1): Ashley Milian 10-15 1-2 21, Kaitlyn Biehl 6-15 0-0 17, Fila Smith 7-13 3-4 17, Kasey Teich 3-4 4-4 10, Amy Chambers 3-3 0-4 6, Danielle Harris 1-4 3-4 6, Amilee Gross 2-3 0-1 5, Riley Stephens 2-5 0-1 5, Collelte Montgomery 0-12 2-2 2, Kori Davis 0-1 0-0 0, Danielle Swiler 0-2 0-0 0. Totals: 34-77 13-22 89.
PCC    34    37 — 71
NCCC    49    40 — 89
3-point goals: Pratt 6-24 (Hoyt 4-12, Bell 1-3, Webb 1-1, Brown 0-3, Hunsberger 0-1, Martinez 0-2, Slater 0-1, Stout 0-1), Neosho 8-31 (Biehl 5-14, Gross 1-2, Harris 1-3, Stephens 1-2, Montgomery 0-6, Smith 0-4).
Rebounds: Pratt 39 (Stout 9), Neosho 54 (Milian 16). Assists: Pratt 12 (Webb 5), Neosho 20 (Smith 10). Turnovers: Pratt 25, Neosho 12. Total fouls: Pratt 20, Neosho 28. Fouled out: Smith.