WNCC women pick up third win

                COLBY, Kan. – The Western Nebraska Community College women’s basketball team put three players in double figures in posting their third victory of the season after dropping Colorado Northwestern Community College 58-41 in the second day of the Ambassador Classic in Colby, Kan.

                Jess Samorodova paced all scorers with 14 points followed by Idil Ozbayrak with 12 points and Gritt Ryder with 10 points.

                WNCC head coach Dave Harnish said they once again played pretty good first-half defense, but they still have to improve their shooting.

                “Defensively, I thought we were strong all game, holding then to 22 points in the first half, and I think the defense was pretty solid,” Harnish said. “We played well and caused 36 turnovers. What we aren’t doing is capitalizing the turnovers into points. We are still struggling in that part. We also had 22 turnovers.”

                The Cougars held a slim 27-22 halftime lead and then came out in the second half and played strong defense, holding the Spartans to just 19 points.

                The Cougars had a balanced scoring attack in the game. After the three double figure scorers, Jessica Aratani and Shalisa Moffit each had six points.

                The Cougars nailed just 1 of 7 from the 3-point area and were 13 of 24 from the free throw line. Ozbayrak had a team high nine steals, while Samorodova had nine rebounds, followed by six each from Ryder and Ashley Stevens.

                Harnish said he is pleased to be unbeaten right now, especially with the number of freshmen and newcomers that are on the team.

                “You have to be happy being 3-0 especially how we are playing defense,” Harnish said. “Now, if we can get our offense going we will be a pretty good team right now.”

                The Cougars, 3-0, will wrap up the Ambassador Classic on Saturday when they face Fort Carson Army Base at 1 p.m. WNCC will then return home to host Colorado Christian junior varsity on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

WNCC (3-0)                        27 31 – 58

CO Northwestern            22 19 – 41

WNCC

Kelsey Doddridge 3, Shalisa Moffit 6, Jessica Aratani 6, Lauren Rivera 1, Idil Ozbayrak 12, Jess Samorodova 14, Gritt Ryder 10, Mikayla Brower 2, Ashley Stevens 2, Katie Kerkhoff 2.