Hosting their third game in the Dennis Lesh Sports arena, the Pratt Community College women's basketball team challenged the Bethel College Junior Varsity team. The Beavers finished the game still undefeated in their 2018-19 season after dominating the threshers 73-30.
A Pratt defense that has been more than efficient all year long continued to guide them to a victory against Bethel. PCC only gave up nine points in the first half of the game. Holding the Threshers to only 30 points for the entire duration of the match was accomplished by high-pressure defense every quarter. The Beavers held their opponents to less than seven points in three different quarters.
Pratt has yet to play an opponent this year without causing less than 35 turnovers. The Beavers were a big factor in the 38 turnovers Bethel had in the 40-minute contest. A team total of 18 steals allowed Pratt to run up the score. Leading her team in both steals (13) and steals per game (4.3), forward Rylee Alexander continued to give her team extra possessions. This time around the freshman came away with a team-high five steals.
"A win is a win is a win, as they say. We did some good things tonight especially in the first half to put the game out of reach. I wasn't too excited about our guard play as far as floor balance and matching people in transition defense, but it's a process," said Head Women's Basketball Coach John Ishee. "I was however extremely happy with the on-ball defense that Jazmin George put on their perimeter people and, Rylee Alexander continues to impress me with her overall game. She is very consistent.
This season, PCC is averaging a remarkable 80.7 points per game and are defeating opponents by an average 46.6 points margin of victory this year against the three non-conference adversaries that they have taken on. These scoring feats have often been a team effort. Intense defense has played a role in getting extra looks, but many individuals for the Beavers take turns showing up on the box score with large numbers.
Alexander (13 points) was the leading scorer in the game against the Threshers. Sophomore Tianna Tullis made the most of her 16 minutes on the court as well by scoring 12 points. Tullis was 4-for-4 from the field and earned six chances at the charity stripe where she converted on four.
"Tianna Tullis and Mackenzie Anderson are contributing in a lot of ways after going through what they did a season ago. It's great to see them experience success. It takes everybody to win and we have to keep growing! I'm proud of everyone's work," said Ishee.
PCC basketball will tip off next against Tabor College Junior Varsity on Nov. 10. The Beavers can be seen around 4 p.m.
