WNCC women move to 15-3 on the season with win over Otero

Submitted by Kevin Klaman, Star-Herald Staff Reporter

The Western Nebraska Community College women's team improved to 16-3 on the season with a 62-52 win over Otero Junior College on Saturday For the women's team, the win was their 12th in a row.

But, like Friday night's game against Lamar Community College, a sluggish first half forced the Cougars to play catch-up in the second half.

"We started slow again tonight," assistant coach Jennifer Pedersen said. "But we played a really good second half. We started running our offense and started playing as a team. Our full-court defense was better and we forced some turnovers."

A stifling inside defense from Otero frustrated Western Nebraska from the perimeter in the first half and led to a 32-24 deficit at the break.

"We were 0-11 from the 3-point line in the first half," Pedersen. "They forced us outside and girls were just trying to make things happen on their own."

That changed after halftime though as the Cougars took advantage of 23 Otero turnovers, many of which came in the second half. Western Nebraska committed just 11 turnovers of its own.

Alison Cheney led the Cougars in scoring with 16 points. Tawny Drexler finished with 10 points and Chelsea Lyles added nine. Emma Beddome grabbed six rebounds in the win and Drexler and Dana Iverson had five each. Lyles came away with four steals and Beddome ended with three.

Western Nebraska shot 38 percent from the field and 16 percent from the 3-point line. The team also hit 79 percent from the free throw line.

Though the WNCC coaching staff isn't enthused about the recent trend of lackluster first halves, Pedersen said the team does display a major strength in the second half. "Our endurance is good," Pederson said. "If we can get that competitive edge, I think we can outlast any team in a physical battle."

The women will return to the court on Wednesday when they face Casper College.

WNCC women (16-3) 24 38 - 62
Otero Junior College 32 20 - 52
WESTERN NEBRASKA
Alison Cheney 16, Tawny Drexler 10, Chelsea Lyles 9, Emma Beddome 7, Carly Glisan 7, Jena Colwell 5, Dana Iverson 4, SeLina Ysac 4.