Spartan women fall in two league games

IOWA FALLS — The losing streak reached nine games Monday for the Southwestern women’s basketball team after two ICCAC league losses in the past three days. At Ellsworth on Monday, the Spartans dropped a 67-59 decision. “The first half killed us — shooting and defensively,” said Spartan coach Buck Scheel. “We started off pretty good, but we just couldn’t get things going and we fell behind.” Southwestern trailed 36-22 at halftime because of 24 percent shooting, but got back in the game by limiting the number of turnovers. The Spartans had 11 in the first half, but held it to just four in the second half. That, along with holding a 15-5 advantage in points off turnovers, helped the Spartans cut the deficit to three points during the second half. Tiffany Troutwine led the team with 21 points — playing all 40 minutes of the game. At Kirkwood on Saturday, the Spartans suffered a 126-43 defeat. Kim Wolfer led the team with 16 points. “They easily could have put up 200 points — they’re by far the top team in the conference,” said Scheel. “They play Iowa Central tomorrow night and I think it’ll be a 30-point game. They’re much more athletic than Iowa Central.” Next up for Southwestern (4-15 overall, 1-7 ICCAC) is a home date with DMACC on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. The Spartans travel to Simpson JV on Thursday. Southwestern at Ellsworth ELLSWORTH (67) — Danielle Ballard 4-5 8-11 16, Ashley Ronk 5-7 0-2 12, Kristen Rasmussen 3-6 2-4 10, Christy Prescott 3-3 0-1 6, Carla Koch 2-9 0-1 5, Krista Walker 2-4 0-0 5, Lisa Hetzler 2-6 0-1 5, Katie Henessy 1-2 3-4 5, Ali Durant 1-7 0-0 3. Totals — 23-49 13-24 67. FG shooting — 23-49 (46 percent). 3-point goals — 8-23 (Rasmussen 2-4, Ronk 2-4, Durant 1-2, Hetzler 1-2, Walker 1-3, Koch 1-7, Henessy 0-1). Rebounds — 43 (Ballard 11, Ronk 9). Assists — 19 (Rasmussen 9). Steals — 8. Blocked shots — 4. Turnovers — 17. Team fouls — 18. SOUTHWESTERN (59) — Tiffany Troutwine 7-15 2-2 21, Kim Wolfer 5-17 3-4 13, CeCe Wright 2-10 5-7 10, Christina Motley 2-4 2-3 6, Anna Waymaster 2-7 0-0 4, Cortni Livengood 1-3 0-0 3, Nicole Meyer 1-6 0-0 2. FG shooting — 20-62 (32 percent). 3-point goals — 7-13 (Troutwine 5-9, Livengood 1-1, Wright 1-3). Rebounds — 36 (Troutwine 7). Assists — 11 (Wright 5). Steals — 8 (Wright 4). Blocked shots — None. Turnovers — 15. Team fouls — 25. Fouled out — Livengood, Wolfer. ECC — 36 67 SWCC — 22 59