The Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) women's basketball team solidified its No. 14 national ranking with victories in the first two games of the 2017-18 season.

The Bears defeated Little Priest Tribal (LPT), 72-58, in their season opener Nov. 1 at Winnebago, Neb., and celebrated their home opener with a 74-69 win over Southeastern (Neb.) Community College (SECC) on Nov. 4.

Sophomore Joniqua Clark of Cedar Rapids scored 19 points and dished out six assists to lead DMACC past LPT. Sophomore Regan Shockley of Hartley and freshman Emma Rouse of Boone had 12 points apiece in the win.

DMACC led throughout the game. The Bears were ahead 19-11 at the quarter, 37-22 at halftime and 62-40 after three quarters. DMACC shot 33 percent from the field, draining 23 of 69 field goal attempts, including 8-of-19 from three-point range. The Bears were 18-of-34 from the free throw line.

LPT had a 59-53 advantage on the boards with Davis and sophomore Beth Atwood of Packwood pulling down 12 and 10 rebounds respectively for DMACC. Shockley had three assists for the Bears and Davis led DMACC in steals with four.

Atwood scored 19 points and grabbed 16 rebounds and freshman Ellie Horn of Newton added 17 points to lift the Bears past SECC. Shockley and freshman Taylor Abernathy of Chicago, Ill., also reached double figures with 12 and 11 points respectively.

The game was close all the way with DMACC leading 19-18 at the quarter. The two teams were tied at 35 at halftime and the Bears had a 52-51 advantage after three quarters.

DMACC shot 34 percent in the win, connecting of 23 of 68 field goal attempts, including 6-of-22 from three-point range. The Bears were 22-of-35 from the free throw line.

Atwood's 16 rebounds and 11 from Rouse helped DMACC to a 57-44 advantage on the boards. Horn finished with seven rebounds and freshmen Aliyah Robinson of Waterloo and Grace Stalzer of Zearing had six rebounds apiece. Robinson led the Bears in assists with four and Atwood and Rouse had three assists apiece. Horn had three blocked shots in the win.

The DMACC women's basketball team will face the Mount Mercy University junior varsity on Nov. 7. Game time is 5:30 p.m. inside the DMACC gymnasium.