(Freeport, IL)  After a long trip to Illinois for the District D Championship, the Pioneers were ready for the Cougars of Highland Community College on Saturday.  MCC came out strong from the beginning and had an amazing 31-10 lead after one quarter of play.  The Cougars were able to pick up their game a little in the second, but the Pioneers still took a 50-29 lead into halftime after Laura Moya hit a three at the buzzer.  The third quarter was another dominating one for the Pioneers, outscoring the Cougars, 28-9.  The Pioneer defense forced 32 turnovers in the contest and scored 31 points off of those takeaways.  The Pioneers came up big from beyond the arc, scoring 42 points off of 3-pointers.  MCC would get the convincing victory, 86-59 to ensure their spot in the NJCAA National Tournament.

Patrycja Jaworska was the leading scorer with 15, followed by Kylee Meredith, Dakota Dosch, and Josselin Geer, all with 12 points in the ballgame.  Lucia Salazar also added 10 points to the effort.  Bre Moea'i and Salazar had eight rebounds each to lead the Pioneers.  Claire Borot, Moea'i, and Jaworska each had four assists to lead the team.  Dosch added five steals.  

The Pioneers will travel to Lubbock, TX for the NJCAA National Tournament ,March 18-23.  The Pioneers will find out what they are seeded and who they will face during the NJCAA Selection Show on Monday, March 11 at 9:00 am.  MCC will host a Selection Show Watch Party on Monday, March 11 at 9:00 am in the Kailey Gymnasium.  This is a free event and anybody who would like to join the team as they find out their tournament fate is welcome to attend.