The Cougars, who were on the brink of defeat, got a fade-away jumper with two seconds to play to force overtime and then hit clutch free throws in the extra period to capture their third sub-region win of the season.
WNCC battled from behind for much of the contest, trailing the Indians by eight points in the first half and by as many as six points with a minute to play in the second quarter. Each time, though, the Cougars found a way to come back.
Jessica Aratani nailed two free throws at the end of the first half to give the Cougars a 30-29 lead at halftime. The second half was a barnburner as McCook held a 53-47 lead with under three minutes to play. The Cougars battled back as Idil Ozbayrak nailed a 3-pointer and then she hit 2 of 4 four free throws to cut the lead to 53-52 before ChaCha Ofoegbu tied the contest with a free throw.
McCook came back with a bucket to go up 55-53 with 16 seconds to play. WNCC had a chance to tie the contest but two missed free throws were off. McCook, however, turned the ball over and Doddridge hit the tying shot.
In the extra period, McCook drew first blood with a 3-pointer. Ozbayrak and Samantha Sanders answered right back with back-to-back 3-pointers for a 61-58 lead. WNCC went up 63-61 after Sanders hit two free throws. McCook had chances, but a turnover and a missed shot gave WNCC the victory.
WNCC had four players in double figures. Doddridge led the way with 19 points followed by Ozbayrak with 13 points. Ofoegbu and Sanders each collected 10 points each.
WNCC moved to 16-4 on the season but more importantly went to 3-1 in the sub-region while McCook fell to 12-6 and 1-2 in the sub-region.
The Cougars will next be in action Tuesday when they host Eastern Wyoming College in a sub-region contest starting at 5:30 p.m.
WNCC (16-4) 30 25 8 – 63
McCook (12-6) 29 26 4 – 59
WNCC
Idil Ozbayrak 13, Kelsey Doddridge 19, ChaCha Ofoegbu 10, Samantha Sanders 10, Lisa Durden 2, Jessica Aratani 4, Leona Garrett 5.
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