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It was a tall task for the newly established Montcalm Community College Centurions women’s basketball team going up against an undefeated opponent that was averaging more than 110 points a game.

Shooting 50.5 percent from the floor, the Oakland Community College Owls (0-0 MCCAA Eastern, 4-0 overall) turned out a 129-56 win over the Centurions (0-0 MCCAA Northern, 1-2 overall) Tuesday, Nov. 19.

Combined with its hot shooting, OCC forced MCC into 32 turnovers to its 11 on the night and outrebounded them 50-40.

The Owls shot out to a 38-16 lead after the first quarter and then held the Centurions to only nine points in the second quarter, while they kept their offensive pressure going, firmly establishing a 77-28 lead at halftime.

“Their fastbreak was very frustrating because they got the ball out quick and would hustle down the court,” said MCC freshman guard Emily Putnam (Sheridan, Mich.), who finished with 13 points, nine rebounds and four assists on the night.

After the first quarter, MCC had to make adjustments to OCC’s full-court press, Putnam said.

“We had multiple press breaks to adjust to their press,” she said.

Despite the 49-point lead going into the third quarter, the Centurions fought back and kept pace with them scoring-wise, with OCC outscoring MCC only 26-22, to lead 103-50.

The small momentum was short-lived, however, as the Owls clamped down on defense and once again held the Centurions to under 10 points in the quarter, outscoring them 26-9 to close out the game.

In the loss, Putnam and her teammates learned a valuable lesson, especially dealing with a fast-paced team like Oakland.

“We need to get up on the ball quicker because they could shoot threes very well,” she said.

OCC’s Liz Lidel led all scorers with 21 points, while MCC freshman guard Grace Riley (Grand Ledge, Mich.) led the Centurions in scoring with 19 points. Sophomore teammate Makenna Rautio (Big Rapids, Mich.) was two points shy of a double-double, scoring eight points and collecting 11 rebounds, which was a game-high. Rautio also led the team with six assists.

UP NEXT: With their scheduled Nov. 23 game at Community Christian (Detroit, Mich.) canceled, the Centurions rescheduled their rematch against Marian University Ancilla at 1 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 23, which will be held at MUA in Plymouth, Ind. The Chargers are 6-0, with one of their wins against MCC, an 83-60 win at MCC, Nov. 15.