Iowa Central Community College (ICCC) ended the season for the DMACC women's basketball team with an 85-66 win over the Bears in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region XI-B championship game April 10 inside the DMACC gymnasium.
The Bears, ranked 17th in the most recent Division II poll from the NJCAA, ended play at 15-8. Freshman Grace Flanagan of Coggon led DMACC with 26 points and freshman Lexi Branning of Manning scored 11 points.
DMACC was shorthanded in the game with three players missing the game because of injuries.
The game was close in the first half with ICCC holding a 17-15 advantage at the end of the first quarter and a 35-29 lead at halftime. The Tritons put the game out of reach by outscoring the Bears 30-13 in the third period for a 65-24 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
DMACC and ICCC played close games during the regular season with DMACC taking a 67-63 win Feb. 3 at Fort Dodge and the Tritons coming away with a 69-63 decision March 31 inside the DMACC gymnasium.
DMACC shot 45 percent in the loss, making 25 of 56 field goal attempts. The Bears were 6-of-19 from three-point range and 10-of-13 from the free throw line.
ICCC came away with a 40-26 advantage on the boards with Branning and freshman Magan Christopherson of Milford hauling down six rebounds apiece to lead DMACC. Christopherson dished out five assists, freshman Jensen Archibald of Martensdale had four and Flanagan finished with three. Flanagan led DMACC in steals with five.