A slow start by the Southeast Community College-Beatrice Lady Storm allowed an out-manned  Nebraska Wesleyan University junior varsity squad to stay in the game until the final buzzer.

Southeast downed the Wesleyan JVs, 71-65, Tuesday night at the Truman Center.

“We were slow tonight and need to pick it up and take care of the ball,” Southeast coach Vicki Wooton said.

Wooton said the Lady Storm had 28 turnovers, many unforced.

“We were lucky to win,” Wooton said.

Wooton said part of Southeast turnover problem is the number of freshmen playing, but added the other part is players “not being focused.”

Southeast led by just one point, 34-33, at halftime and outscored the junior Prairiewolves 37-32 in the second half.

Wooton said the Lady Storm may have “overlooked” Wesleyan, which brought just six players to Beatrice for the game.

Wesleyan’s effort was aided by its long-range shooting, Wooton said.

The junior Prairiewolves had 11 three-point goals in the game and just eight two-point goals.

Wesleyan’s leading scorer Kelsey Gray had 21 points, all from three-point range.

“We need more urgency on defense,” Wooton said. “We can’t just let them shoot open threes. Somebody has got to be there.”

Wooton said Wesleyan did a nice job of running its offense and boxing out on defense.

Rebounding is one area the Lady Storm needs to work on, Wooton said.

Cece Catlett, who joined the basketball team after the completion of Southeast’s volleyball season, led the team in scoring with 10 points.

Catlett and Abrielle Davis led the Lady Storm on the boards with five rebounds each.

“Cece played well,” Wooton said. “She hasn’t been practicing with us that long and she’s still picking things up.”

Kellie Page had a team-high five assists and shared the team lead for steals with LaTrece Couvson with three each.

“Trece (Couvson) played well on defense and worked the ball,” Wooton said. “She also helped us when we got in a little bind at the point guard position.”

With 15 players in uniform, including 11 freshmen, Wooton said the Lady Storm are still working to find the right fit.

“We’ve had three different (starting) lineups,” Wooton said. “We’re just trying to see who works well from what position and who comes off the bench well.

“We’re just trying to feel out what’s going to work best.”

Next action for Southeast will be Thursday as the Lady Storm host Lincoln’s Union College.

Wesleyan JV        33        32-65

Southeast        34        37-71

Southeast  ( 71 )

LaShira Couvson seven, Aujanee Armstrong six, LaTrece Couvson nine, Erica Lundstrom seven, Abrielle Davis seven, Cece Catlett 10, Kellie Page nine, Hannah Smith eight, Laura Schroeder four, April Manton two, Kylee Jonsson two.

Three-point goals: Southeast (LaShira Couvson one, LaTrece Couvson, Page one, Smith two). Rebounds: Southeast (Davis five, Catlett five). Assists: Southeast (Page five). Steals: Southeast (LaTrece Couvson three, Page three).