WNCC women top Northwest Kansas for 18th win

                GOODLAND, Kan. – The Western Nebraska Community College women’s basketball team picked up their 18^th win of the seasonwith a team-effort 80-45 win over Northwest Kansas Technical College on Friday night in Goodland, Kan.
                The Cougar women, who needs just two more wins to capture their 27^th straight 20-win season, had everyone score, including three in double figures.
                WNCC, who had a 31-27 halftime lead, opened up the offense in the second half, outscoring the Mavericks 49-18.
                “Our defense definitely worked harder in the second half,” freshman Olivia Vogel of Alliance said. “Our passes were even smarter.”
                A big key in the game was breaking the Mavericks press and that helped generate a lot of points.
                “I think the key was we broke their press as a team and also picked off a few of their passes,” Vogel said. “The first half was a little rough, but we picked it up after halftime.”
                Another big key to the win was how the team played overall. All 12 players scored, as well as almost all of them getting steals.
                Vogel said that aspect of the game was excellent.
                “It was a great win for us because all of us got playing time and everyone contributed in their own way,” Vogel said.
                The Cougars were led in scoring by Shalisa Moffit, Angela Vigil and Ashley Stevens with 10 points each. The balanced scoring followed with three players chipping in eight points, including Lile Havili, Lyndie Puckett, and Kaylee Biddell.
                The Cougars out-rebounded the Mavericks 19-15, led by Allyson Vasquez’ five boards. The Cougars also had 15 steals in the contest. Laurin Rivera had three picks, while Moffit, Abi Lujan, Vigil, Havili, and Olivia Vogel each had two.
                WNCC (18-5) will have a week off before returning to the hardwoods when they take on Trinidad State and Otero on the road in two crucial south sub-region contests. WNCC will then return home to host Colorado Christian junior varsity on Feb. 11.

WNCC (18-5)                      31 49 – 80
NW Kansas                         27 18 – 45
WNCC
Allyson Vasquez 4, Laurin Rivera 6, Shaiisa Moffit 10, Lyndie Pucket 8, Abi Lujan 4, Angela Vigil 10, Liz Dogan 6, Sofia Softas-Nall 4, Ashley Stevens 10, Kaylee Biddell 8, Lili Havili 8, Olivia Vogel 2.