The Pratt Community College Women's Basketball team earned their 13th win of the season and their 6th in the Jayhawk as Western Division play started Great Bend, Kan. The game began with the Beavers starting off red hot by outscoring Barton Community College 11-2 and never looking back to earn a hard fought win 67-61.
The Beavers momentarily lost their lead with five minutes left to play after a 3 pointer gave Barton a brief lead. The Beavers responded with a bucket from Sophomore Courtney Cleveland and timely free throw shooting from Freshman guard Dymond McElrath down the stretch. That ultimately proved to be the difference.
Cleveland led the Beavers with a team high 18 points and seven rebounds. Freshman Jaz George scored 12 points and Freshman Janell Douvier chipped in with 11 points to give the Beavers a balanced attack. The Beavers pressure man defense created 13 steals with freshman Rylee Alexander from Coldwater, Kan. leading the way with five thefts on the night.
Pratt's defense was tremendous according to head Coach John Ishee, and it was the spark that provided the opportunity to start western division play with a win on the road.
"Creating 25 turnovers and defending them the way we did was the difference in the game in my opinion," Ishee said. "We knew coming in that we would have to have a tremendous effort defensively to come in here and leave with a win."
Barton was led by Freshman Rachelle Turney with a game high 20 points, and Mallory Miller connected on four 3 point bombs to keep Barton in it.
The Beavers will battle Barton again Wednesday Feb. 6 in Pratt at 6 p.m.