Otero College used a decisive third-quarter surge and steady fourth-quarter control to defeat Northeastern Junior College 76-63 in women’s basketball action Saturday at McDivett Gymnasium.
The Rattlers led wire to wire, building an early advantage with a 24-19 edge after the first quarter and stretching the margin to 14 points at halftime, 41-27. Northeastern answered after the break, clawing all the way back to tie the game in the third quarter before Otero reclaimed control. A 10-0 run over the final three minutes of the third quarter pushed the Rattlers back in front 55-45 and swung the momentum firmly in their favor.
From there, Otero controlled the pace in the fourth quarter, methodically extending the lead and keeping Northeastern at arm’s length. The Rattlers led by as many as 18 points in the final frame, closing out a complete performance on both ends of the floor to secure the 13-point victory.
Otero’s duo of Itxasne Fernandez and Kaelani Albert-Neha powered the offense with matching 24-point efforts. Fernandez was a disruptive force defensively as well, collecting four steals to help fuel transition opportunities and key scoring runs. Albert-Neha turned in a well-rounded performance, adding seven rebounds and six assists to her 24 points as she consistently created for teammates and controlled the tempo.
Coach Kyle Herring "I thought we got better at learning to win tonight. When NJC made that run in the third quarter to tie the game, we could have panicked like we normally do. Tonight, I saw us do the right things, get composed, and finish a team off. I was impressed with our discipline down the stretch."
The Rattlers also received important contributions from the bench and frontcourt. Haley Lang provided a significant spark as a reserve, chipping in nine points that helped sustain Otero’s offensive pressure, particularly during the momentum-shifting stretches. Dayshanay Bruner anchored the interior with high energy, grabbing six rebounds and helping the Rattlers finish possessions and limit Northeastern’s second-chance opportunities.
Defensively, Otero’s timely stops framed each of the game’s pivotal moments. The Rattlers held Northeastern to 27 points in the first half while building their 14-point cushion, then responded to the Plainswomen’s third-quarter push with increased ball pressure and activity in the passing lanes during the decisive 10-0 run. That stretch, combined with strong rebounding and composed half-court execution in the fourth quarter, allowed Otero to reassert control and close out the contest.
With the 76-63 win, Otero demonstrated depth and resilience in handling Northeastern’s second-half rally. The performance highlighted the Rattlers’ ability to respond to adversity with composure and defensive intensity while relying on standout efforts from Fernandez, Albert-Neha and the supporting cast to secure a quality home victory.
