Plainswomen Basketball Ends Season at Region IX Tournament

Mar. 11, 2019, Sterling, Colo. — The Plainswomen basketball team qualified for the Region IX tournament in Scottsbluff, Neb. as the two seed in the south division. They had the first round by and matched up against Laramie County in the first round. To become champions, they had to win three games in three days. 

Their first game against the Eagles was a great game. A strong first quarter from the Plainswomen gave them a 14-point lead as Northeastern held the Golden Eagles to just six points. After one, Northeastern held a 20-6 lead. In the second, Laramie found their rhythm and outscored the Plainswomen 21-14, but Northeastern still held the seven-point advantage leading 34-27 at halftime.

The Plainswomen came out hot in the third again and outscored the Eagles by five points to take the 58-46 lead. In the final quarter, the Plainswomen fought to hold onto the 72-61 victory. The Plainswomen held Laramie to 34.5 percent shooting from the field and outscored them 13-0 on second chance points. Northeastern controlled the boards outrebounding the Eagles 46-22. 

Tashika Burrell led the team with 19 points. Asia Turner had a big night by scoring 12 points and pulling down 16 rebounds. Aleksandra Ratnikava had 16 points, Alyzae Davis had nine, and Kirsten Regennitter finished with eight.

That win advanced Northeastern into the Region IX Semifinal versus Casper College.

Nortehastern's game against the Casper was going to be a battle as they matched up with them toe to toe. The game was a hard fought battle with 14 lead changes and eight ties throughout the game. Both teams came out firing in the first with Northeastern holding a slight 22-20 advantage. In the second quarter, Casper went on a slight run and outscored the Plainswomen 18-15. At halftime, Northeastern only trailed by one to Casper 38-37.

In the third quarter, both teams came out with intense defense.  Northeastern missed some key free throws in the third and Casper outscored the Plainswomen 17-14. In the fourth however, Northeastern outscored Casper 21-19, but it wasn't enough as Casper held on to the 72-74 victory. 

Tashika Burrell had a big night for the Plainswomen scoring 28 points. Alyzae Davis and Aleksandra Ratnikava both chipped in 18 points. 

Tashika Burrell and Aleksandra Ratnikava were named to the Region IX All-Tournament team.