Saints fall to Storm, will play Linn-Benton for final game of the 2012-13 season

The struggles continue for the MHCC women’s basketball team as their losing streak extended to 19 games with Wednesday’s 86-43 loss to the Chemeketa Storm in Salem.

Their second loss to the Storm followed a Saturday home loss to SWOCC and the Saints are now 0-13 in the South Region and 2-22 overall.

Led by sophomore guard Jordan Klebaum’s 28 points, Chemeketa (9-4 in Southern Region, 16-10 overall) maintained total control of the game Wednesday in Salem by doubling MHCC’s point total.

“I can’t say anyone played well, and we obviously didn’t stifle them — we lost by 40-something,” said head coach Jocelyn McIntire when asked what worked and didn’t work Wednesday night.

“We have to keep competing. I doubt our players are happy, though,” added McIntire.

Freshman guard Whitney Warren led the way for the Saints with 12 points, the only MHCC player to hit double figures. MHCC shot a disappointing 27 percent from the field versus the Southern Region’s third-place team.

Chemeketa outrebounded MHCC 34-19, as well as recording three times as many assists (18 to 6) during the 43-point dismantling of the Saints.

Over the weekend, the Saints women fell at home to Southwest Oregon (7-6 in Southern Region, 14-11 overall) in a 77-52 loss.

Allowing four Laker players to score in double digits didn’t benefit MHCC during the blowout. SWOCC was led by freshman Kyla Siri, who scored 25 points along with her 10 rebounds.

McIntire said of the loss to Southwest Oregon, “We have had the same issues all year — poor shooting, can’t rebound, and turnovers. We also struggle getting to the line,” describing her squad’s inability to earn points from the free throw stripe.

Despite another long game for the Saints, sophomore Hannah Mocaby managed to aid her team with a double-double, prodviding them with 13 points and 13 rebounds. Shooting 28 percent from the field fueled the unfortunate home defeat.

Only one game remains on the schedule for the MHCC women, as they take on Linn-Benton (4-9 in the South, 7-18 overall) Saturday at home at 2 p.m. That will be the final game for each team, as neither has qualified for the NWAACC tournament.

The last meeting against the Road Runners ended in a 74-54 loss for the Saints, but they look to rebound and end the season on a high note.

McIntire said, “We need to compete, rebound, shoot well, take care of the ball, and get to the line” in order for her team to avenge the first loss.