The No. 11 Cougars, in posting their 18th win of the season, put four players in double figures and out-rebounded the Hawks 45-32. The big key in the game, though, came midway through the first half when the WNCC women opened up a 15-13 lead, going on a 16-0 run over the next six minutes to open up a 31-13 lead.
The run was sparked by Kyra Peterson connecting on eight points, including two clutch 3-pointers and six points from 6-foot-7 center Thais Pinto. WNCC led 34-22 at intermission.
WNCC coach Dave Harnish said his team started slow, but picked up the intensity with the run. He said the run was spearheaded by their strong defense.“The stretch where we got the lead, we created three or four turnovers off our press. We got some easy buckets and kind of opened it up,” he said. “I thought the tempo was better tonight. I thought the pressure was better. I thought the energy was better throughout the game.”
The Cougars defense forced Northeast into 28 turnovers, while WNCC committed just 13. That defensive pressure is what pleased Harnish, especially after the Casper loss on Tuesday night.
“We caused a lot more turnovers tonight, which we haven’t done in the past,” he said. “We have to get more aggressive defensively. We just need to create some easy points for us and I think we did that tonight with the press.”
The Cougars definitely did create plenty of easy buckets, but they also missed on some easy shots. Still, WNCC blistered the nets for 45 percent shooting and were 40 percent from the 3-point arc (6 of 15). Northeast couldn’t buy a bucket, shooting at 30 percent for the game, including 27 percent from beyond the arc (3 of 11).The second half is where the Cougars started to open up the contest, going on two mini runs that took the wind out of the Hawks’ sail. After Northeast cut the deficit to a 10-point game at 36-26 on a Carolyn Taite bucket, the Cougars went on a 8-0 run was highlighted by five points from Hemingford graduate Shelby Campbell, including a 3-pointer.
The Cougars widened the lead to 50-28 on two Leona Garrett buckets. WNCC pushed the lead to 20 points, 56-35 on a Carolina Alves bucket and never really relinquished the 20-point lead the rest of the way.
The only down spot on the game, however, was free throw shooting. The two teams combined for 59 free throw attempts. Northeast was 19 of 26 from the line for 73 percent, while the Cougars were a measly 16 of 33 for 49 percent.
“Still, we were pretty poor at the free throw line and also missing some lay ups. Hopefully we will get there,” Harnish said. “We are trying to play at a faster pace. We are not used to playing at that level. I am happy with the win. This was a good win after coming back from the Casper loss.”
Peterson paced the Cougar attack with 15 points, including three 3-pointers. Campbell poured in 13 points and also led the team in rebounding with seven. Garrett finished with 12 points and Pinto added 10.
Northeast was led by Erica Long with 13 points followed by Christian Janis with 10 points.
WNCC, 18-1, will next be in action on Tuesday when they host McCook Community College in another sub-region contest. Tip-off is slated for 5:30 p.m.
“We have another sub-region game on Tuesday and one that we play at home at well,” Harnish said. “You have to win those games at home. This was one today we needed to have very badly. You can’t lose at home in a sub-region game, so we have to do that again Tuesday night.”
Northeast (13-6) 22 26 – 48
WNCC (18-1) 34 44 – 78
NORTHEAST
Christine Fischer 4, Shelby Hunger 2, Christian Janis 10, Erin Svehla 2, Erica Long 13, Shelbee Cox 3, Theresa Lindquin 5.
WNCC
Samantha Sanders 3, Shelby Campbell 13, Tiffany Moorer 3, Lisa Durden 5, Kyra Peterson 15, ChaCha Ofoegbu 8, Darachia Johnson 5, Leona Garrett 12, Thais Pinto 10, Carolina Alves 4.
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