The Western Nebraska Community College women’s basketball team put five players in double figures in picking up their 20th win of the season with an 88-56 win over Lamar Community College Wednesday at Cougar Palace.
Samantha Sanders, who had one of her best shooting games of the season with 12 points on 71 percent shooting, said it wasn’t a perfect game for the No. 19 Cougars, but it was a win that they needed after falling to Northeastern Junior College on Saturday.
“We didn’t play our best, and we still have things we need to work on,” the freshman from Denver said. “Tonight we kind of didn’t get it done, but tomorrow [Thursday] we have a big game and it is another chance for us to go out there and do what we need to do.”
The first time the two squads faced each other earlier in January, Lamar gave the Cougars fits at the beginning. The same thing this game as the Runnin’ Lopes ran out to a 10-5 lead and led 20-18 with 10 minutes left in the first half. “We had a problem with them before when they pressed us, but when we get the ball out go, we are just so much more deadlier,” Sanders said. “We just work well together getting the ball up the court and getting the fast break. That is what coach wants us to do.”
Trailing 20-18, the Cougars would change the momentum in a heartbeat, going on a 19-0 run over a six minute span. During the crucial run, Kyra Peterson hit a 3-pointer and Leona Garrett score six points while Carolina Alves had four points. Lisa Durden also hit four straight technical free throws to push the lead to 37-20. WNCC went on to lead 43-23 at intermission.
Trailing 20-18, the Cougars would change the momentum in a heartbeat, going on a 19-0 run over a six minute span. During the crucial run, Kyra Peterson hit a 3-pointer and Leona Garrett score six points while Carolina Alves had four points. Lisa Durden also hit four straight technical free throws to push the lead to 37-20. WNCC went on to lead 43-23 at intermission.
Lamar came back in the second half and tried making a game of it, cutting the 20-point halftime lead to 13 points, 56-43 on two three pointers by Stephanie Russak with 12 minutes to play. WNCC shifted the contest into another level, going on a 13-0 run that was highlighted by eight points by Shelby Campbell and five points from Thais Pinto for a 69-43 lead. Lamar never got closer than 19 points the rest of the game and that was due to the Cougar’s bench, who outscored the Runnin’ Lopes 38-16, lead by Garrett and Kyra Peterson with 10 points each.
WNCC received a good scoring balance. Campbell paced the team with 14 points followed by ChaCha Ofoegbu with 13, and Sanders with 12.
The Cougars also shared the ball well, finishing with 21 assists, led by Sanders with five and Scottsbluff’s DaNae Quijas with four. WNCC also out-rebounded Lamar 55-28 behind Tiffany Moorer’s eight boards, Pinto’s seven and Campbell’s six.
Sanders said it was nice to get five players in double figures and get things spread out among the team.
“This is very good balance because we don’t get that many players in double figures,” she said. “It was a good win tonight. I think we all played hard the whole game.”
WNCC, 20-2, will get right back into action Thursday when they head to Eastern Wyoming College for a men’s and women’s doubleheader. The women’s game tips off at 5:30 p.m.
“It is a big game, especially since it is at their house,” Sanders said. “We have to take every game like we need it. We need all the wins that we can get .”
Lamar (10-12) 23 33 – 56
WNCC (20-2) 43 45 – 88
LAMAR COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Stephanie Russak 8, Breanna Garduno 3, Michelle Price 8, Erika Baca 12, Sarah Leister 2, Ashley Torres 3, Vertashia Dean 10, Brandi Charles 7, T’Aundra Wright 3.
WESTERN NEBRASKA
Samantha Sanders 12, Ashley Soucie 5, Shelby Campbell 14, Tiffany Moorer 4, Lisa Durden 4, Kyra Peterson 10, ChaCha Ofoegbu 13, Jasmine Shaffer 2, Leona Garrett 10, Thais Pinto 7, Carolina Alves 7.
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