Alves scores 21 to lead WNCC women

COLBY, Kan. -- Sophomore Carolina Alves scored 21 points and the Western Nebraska Community College women's basketball team put together a solid second half in topping Hastings College junior varsity 77-60 Saturday at the Ambassador Classic in Colby, Kan.


               WNCC coach Dave Harnish said his team bolted to a big lead early and then lost focus to let Hastings College close the gap at intermission 41-38.

               "It was similar to yesterday [Friday]. We got up big early, something like 30-12 and we let them close it up to three at halftime by us fouling and getting lackadaisical," he said. "The second half was much better as we outscored them 36-22. We were better defensively and we didn't foul as much and we were more solid in the second half."

               What impressed Harnish the most was the improvement his team has made on free throws. In the first three games of the year, the Cougars made about 50 percent of their charity stripe. Friday night against Colby, they shot 68 percent and then against Hastings College, the Cougars went 20 of 25 for 80 percent.

               The Cougars also shot the ball decent from the field, shooting 42 percent for the game.

               Harnish is still waiting for this team to play a complete 40 minutes, but for now, he has seen enough progress to  make him satisfied.

               "It seems when we get leads we start reaching  and fouling. We have started games well by getting up by 15 to 20 points on teams but we let it go," he said. "We don't put them away. We played good the second half the last two nights. Making free throws is encouraging. I thought Carol stepped up tonight in baking some key baskets."

               WNCC had three players hit the double-figure column on the afternoon. Alves paced the team with 21 points followed by Kyra Peterson with 17 and Samantha Sanders with 11. Peterson added three 3-pointers to her scoring spree.

               "We made progress this weekend," Harnish said. "It is good to be 5-0 after winning three this weekend. I thought we got better as each game went along."

               Kimball graduate Kayli Rageth finished with 12 points for Hastings College junior varsity

               The Cougars will hit the road next weekend when they head to the Air Force Prep tournament in Colorado Springs, Colo., before returning home for the Thanksgiving Classic.

WNCC (5-0)                        41 36 -- 77
Hastings JV                         38 22 -- 60
WESTERN NEBRASKA
Carolina Alves 21, Samantha Sanders 11, ChaCha Ofoegbu 7, Kyra Peterson 17, Tiffany Moorer 2, Shelby Campbell 8, Shelby Jones 2, Leona Garrett 7, Darachia Johnson 2.