WNCC women defeat Colby for eighth straight win

Friday morning, Western Nebraska Community College’s Chelsea Lyles and the rest of the Cougar volleyball team were made admirals of the Navy by Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman.

Friday night, Lyles became the admiral on the court as she poured in 18 points, six rebounds and 4 of 5 shooting from the free throw line to lead the Cougars to their eighth straight win with a 66-44 win over Colby Community College in the second day of the Lady Cougar Holiday Classic.

“It was nice meeting the governor this morning. Being an admiral in Nebraska is a once in a lifetime opportunity and it was amazing. It was a wonderful feeling,” Lyles said. “Then, to come out here and play well [later in the evening] it is great and I liked it.”

In other action on the day, Air Force Prep fought back from a 34-24 halftime deficit to claim a 63-56 over Eastern Wyoming College.

Action continues today with Eastern Wyoming facing Colby at 1 p.m. followed by WNCC taking on Air Force Prep at 3 p.m.

Lyles said the difference in their game was the second half, where the Cougars’ defense held Colby to just 16 points, including just 10 points through the first 15 minutes.

“The difference was we stopped their 3-point shooting and our press was a lot better,” the 6-foot two-sport star said. “We trapped and got after them harder and we put a lot more pressure on them. We really slowed down their shooters in the second half and that made a big difference. That is what they depend on their 3-point shot.”

Early on, though, both teams were involved in a defensive showdown. With 8:39 to play, Dana Iverson scored five straight points, including a 3-pointer. Colby rebounded grabbing a 23-19 lead on a Sandra Sormaz 3-pointer. That was when Lyles took charge, scoring 12 of the Cougars next 14 points for a 34-28 halftime lead.

WNCC had just two players in double figures. Besides Lyles, Iverson finished with 14 points, including two 3-pointers. Colby was paced by Sormaz with 12 points.

In the earlier game, EWC and Air Force Prep were also in a defensive battle as the Lancers’ Shealyn Wells nailed a 3-pointer with 8:40 left in the first half to tied the game at 15. The Lancers’ offense continued excelling as Skye Smith nailed a 3-pointer to give EWC a 34-24 halftime lead.

The Lancers couldn’t hold the lead in the second half as the Huskies scored 39 points and shot 57 percent from the field to EWC’s 34 percent to get the win.

EWC had two players in double figures, led by Smith with 15 points and Jaqi Bell with 14. Air Force Prep was led by Kira Gonzalez with 22 points.

EWC (3-8) 34 22 – 56
Air Force Prep 24 39 – 63
EASTERN WYOMING
Kera Bretney 8, Shealyn Wells 6, Stacie Folker 6, Jessica Martinez 6, Nicole Moody 2, Skye Smith 15, Jaqi Bell 14.
AIR FORCE PREP
Jamela Satterfield 10, Jackie First 7, Kira Gonzalez 22, Tiffany McKinney 8, Kati Isham 11, Fallyanne Henderson 5.

Colby CC 28 16 – 44
WNCC (9-3) 34 32 – 66
COLBY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Molly Phelan 2, Lucie Puchelova 2, Erin Goodhue 2, Jazmine Murray 1, Katie Spresser 3, Lauren Fortin 2, Nikki Welsh 8, Sandra Sormaz 12, Whitney Archer 8, Samantha Ciani 4.
WESTERN NEBRASKA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Cheri Palmer 6, Dana Iverson 14, Emma Beddome 9, Michelle Lighthall 2, SeLina Ysac 1, Alison Cheney 8, Jenna Colwell 6, Chelsea Lyles 18, Carly Glisan 2.