Slow start, Little’s injury lead to loss for JWCC women in league opener

QUINCY — Spoon River College’s game-opening 3-point barrage proved to be a challenge for the John Wood Community College women’s basketball team to overcome.

So did losing McKenna Little to an ankle injury.

The Snappers jumped out to a 9-2 lead Wednesday night in the Mid-West Athletic Conference game at the Student Activity Center by burying three consecutive 3-pointers, paving the way for a 67-51 victory. Spoon River outscored JWCC 18-8 in the first quarter.

Little, the Trail Blazers’ sophomore guard, suffered a sprained right ankle in the first half and left the gym afterward on crutches. The Quincy Notre Dame graduate was averaging 8.1 points and 2.7 rebounds per game.

Lenlee Kllusman led the Trail Blazers (6-10, 0-1 MWAC) with 14 points, while Stephanie Anders and Ajanae Garrett each had 10 points.