Heacock's Four 3-Pointers Help Express Women Take Down NJCAA D-I Vincennes 76-69

By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information

Vincennes, IN---Mackenzie Heacock's 3-pointer with 6:36 remaining put the Express women up 70-68, while the Express defense held Vincennes to one point over the remaining time to capture a huge road victory over NJCAA D-I Vincennes University 76-69.

Vincennes had near double digit leads in each half, but the Express fought back each time. In the first half, the Trailblazers led 35-26 with 5:17 left, but Heacock hit two 3-pointers, while Emma-Jean Ricketts had a 3-pointer and a lay-in to tie it at 37-all with 3 minutes left.

The Express were up three with four seconds left in the half, but they allowed a coast to coast lay-in to Shelby Parmer to make it 40-39 heading into the half.

Zhanna Chukrii then helped Vincennes take a 57-48 lead with 13:48 remaining in the game. The Russian, who had 29 points on 11-for-22 shooting, had six points in the opening six minutes of the half. Then, she hit another 3-pointer to put Vincennes up 60-52 with 12:53 remaining.

Finally, following a free throw from Ashley Hawkins that gave Vincennes a 66-57 lead with 10:53 remaining, the Express went on a run. Over the next 2:42, the Express went on a 10-0 run - concluded by a 3-pointer from Heacock.

After Chukrii put Vincennes back up one with a jumper from the right elbow moments later, Heacock hit the aformentioned three to put the Express up for good.

Over the final 6:36, the Express outscored Vincennes 6-1 as the Trailblazers went cold from the field (0-for-6) with three turnovers.

Chukrii led all scorers with 29 points on six 3-pointers, but she went 0-for-2 from the field and 0-for-2 from the foul line over the final 6:36.

Ashley Hawkins added 14 points and five rebounds for Vincennes, but the true key for them came from point guard Parmer, who had nine points, 14 assists, seven rebounds and four steals. She assisted on the first 10 field goals of the game for Vincennes.

Ricketts had a team-high 22 points, as well as nine rebounds and four steals. She was 9-for-17 from the field, 2-for-4 from 3-point range and 2-for-4 from the foul line.

Heacock added 16 points, a season-high, on 6-for-9 shooting overall (4-for-5 from 3-point range). She added four rebounds.

Uniqua Mitchell, who had some key rebounds, finished with 11 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Karahn Scott nearly had a double-double with nine points and 10 rebounds, while Nandi Taylor had six points, a season-high 10 assists, three rebounds, five steals and one block. Taylor had a crucial stretch of back-to-back-to-back steals during a first half run.

The Express shot 32-for-69 from the field (46.4 percent), 7-for-18 from 3-point range and 5-for-8 from the foul line. They outrebounded the Trailblazers 40-36, while accumulating more assists (21-17), steals (15-9) and blocks (3-0). The key advantage came from points in the paint, where the Express held a 46-14 advantage.

The Express (5-3) will host three games at home next week. On Dec. 3, they will play Schoolcraft College at 5:30 p.m. before taking on Mott Community College Dec. 5 at 5:30 p.m. and Glen Oaks Community College Dec. 8 at 1 p.m.