Lady Norse Knock Off No. 19 KCKCC, Improve to 5–1 Ahead of Tough Road Trip

MIAMI, Okla. — The NEO A&M Lady Norse picked up one of their biggest early-season wins on Saturday, November 22, knocking off No. 19 Kansas City Kansas Community College (KCKCC) in a hard-fought 57–53 victory inside the NEO Fieldhouse. The win pushes NEO to 5–1 on the season as they prepare for one of their toughest stretches of the year.

The Lady Norse wasted no time setting the tone. Behind disciplined half-court execution and strong defensive pressure, NEO jumped out early and held a 33–22 lead at halftime. Their activity on both ends of the floor forced KCKCC out of rhythm, while the Lady Norse found balance in scoring and ball movement.

Ana Carolina Furtado powered the NEO offense, turning in a standout performance with 22 points, finishing at the rim and creating opportunities throughout the night. Taiona Morris added 10 points, providing key baskets in crucial stretches to keep momentum on NEO's side.

On the glass, Taneya Howard anchored the Lady Norse with a game-high 10 rebounds, consistently battling inside and preventing the Blue Devils from generating second-chance opportunities. Her presence helped NEO control the tempo and maintain the lead late, even as KCKCC attempted to make a fourth-quarter push.

The Blue Devils, ranked No. 19 in NJCAA Division II, clawed their way back into the game in the final minutes, but NEO's poise and defensive stops down the stretch secured the 57–53 win—an important early-season statement for Coach Jim Rowland's squad.

With momentum building, the Lady Norse now turn their attention to a challenging road trip to Sedalia, Missouri. This weekend, NEO will face NJCAA Division I No. 17 State Fair Community College on Friday, followed by a matchup with NJCAA Division II No. 9 Allen County on Saturday. Both games will test NEO against nationally ranked opponents as they continue to sharpen for Region 2 play come January 2026.