JOPLIN, MO. – The Parkland College women's basketball team dropped out of the NJCAA National Tournament with a 79-66 loss against Pima Community College in the Consolation Bracket on Wednesday, March 20th. The No. 12 seed Cobras (26-6) led at the end of the first quarter versus the No. 13 seed Aztecs (24-9), but a cold second quarter saw them trailing 39-27 at halftime – and Pima pulled away in the second half of the season-ending loss. Sophomore Abby Shepard started strong, scoring 10 points in the first five minutes and leading the team with 18 in the game, and freshman Megan Janson recorded a game-high 6 assists in the loss.
 
"I want to say thanks to all the sophomores for their leadership on and off the court," first-year head coach Jean Demosthenes said after the game. "They did a fantastic job teaching the freshman what it means to be a Cobra and teaching the meaning of winning."
 
"Thanks to our fans and parents for their support throughout the year," Demosthenes continued. "We are building a culture of winning here at Parkland, and our sophomores just paved the way for those coming after them. I'm proud of them, and I will miss them tremendously."
 
Parkland and Pima CC traded the lead early in a fast-paced first quarter led by sophomore Abby Shepard, who drilled a three to give the Cobras a 12-10 lead with 5:06 on the clock. The Aztecs countered and led down the stretch in the first quarter – but two free throws from freshman Savannah Prather put Parkland up 23-21 going into the second quarter. The Cobras started cold and could not get anything going in the second quarter as the Aztecs held a 32-25 lead at the media timeout with 4:50 left – and Parkland went into halftime down 39-27, their largest deficit of the first half. The momentum stayed with Pima CC to begin the second half - but Parkland worked it inside and drew fouls, scoring six straight at the free throw line, and a quick 9-0 run cut the deficit to 49-40 with 4:15 to go in the third quarter. The Aztecs ended the quarter on a high note, knocking down a three before the buzzer, and the Cobras went into the fourth quarter trailing 62-43. Pima extended its lead to open the quarter, calling timeout with a 71-50 lead and 5:19 left, and Parkland pushed the pace to try and start a comeback. Freshman Jordyn Crowder scored a quick five points to cap a late 8-0 run, but the Cobras ended their season with a 79-66 loss in the NJCAA DII 7th Place Consolation Bracket.
 
Statistical Overview:
Abby Shepard: 18 points, 3 rebounds
Megan Janson: 12 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals
Alyssa Cole: 9 points, 7 rebounds
Rhylea Johnson: 8 points, 3 rebounds