HESSTON, Kan. – The Hesston College women's basketball team clinched their first win of the season with a hard-fought 62-54 victory over the McPherson College JV. The game was a back-and-forth battle early on, but Hesston pulled ahead with a dominant third-quarter performance, outscoring McPherson 22-11 to establish a lead that would carry them through the fourth.

Leading the charge for Hesston was Jenna Avery, who scored 10 points, hitting six of her 12 free throws and grabbing five rebounds. Brittany Cato also stepped up with an impressive 14 points on 4-of-9 shooting, including 2-of-6 from beyond the arc, while adding six rebounds and two steals. Anna McIntire proved a force on the boards, pulling down 11 rebounds (four offensive), and contributing 8 points, showcasing a strong presence in the paint.

Hesston's defense was key to their victory, holding McPherson to a 29.9% field goal percentage. They forced 18 turnovers, resulting in 15 points off turnovers. Hesston's defense also recorded 12 steals and three blocks, stifling McPherson's scoring opportunities. Auniyeuh Matlock and Hanah Debelle each added defensive strength with three steals apiece.

On the offensive end, Hesston showed resilience, especially at the free-throw line, where they made 19 of 31 attempts. While their three-point shooting was limited to 16.7% (3-of-18), Hesston made up for it with strong rebounding, securing 21 offensive rebounds that led to 14 second-chance points.Bench players made significant contributions as well, adding 32 points and helping maintain the team's energy throughout the game.

The Larks will be back in action on Saturday (November 9) as they travel to Lincoln, Neb. to take on Southeast Community College at 1 p.m.