Just three points separated both Western Nebraska Community College basketball teams from continuing their road success to start the young season. Both teams were coming off of 3-0 records at the Colby tournament in Colby, Kan., but both the men and women fell in their first games in the Air Force Prep tournament in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Friday.
The women slipped to 4-3 on the season with a 62-59 loss to the Air Force All-Stars, and the men had their five-game unbeaten streak snapped with a 68-65 loss to Otero Junior College.
In the women's game, a close first half kept the game tight all the way to the end.
"It was back and forth through most of the game," WNCC assistant coach Jennifer Pedersen said. "We were up by 12 at one point in the second half and then they tied it up and went up by four. We tied it up and then they went up by 3, and we never caught them."
Jena Colwell led the Cougars with 14 points in the game. Colwell also had three steals. Emma Beddome added 12 points, including two 3-pointers. She also handed out two assists. Cheri Palmer finished with 10 points, Dana Iverson scored eight and Shaquilah Davis put up six. Carly Glisan also recorded six points on two 3-pointers and grabbed five rebounds. SeLina Ysac also came down with five rebounds and scored three points. Tawny Drexler picked up three steals.
The Cougars led 30-25 at the half and shot 55 percent from the free-throw line.
The WNCC men were also forced to play catch-up as time wound down in their game.
"We were up by 10 at the half and led most of the second half until the end," WNCC coach Brian Joyce said. "We had great opportunities to finish the game and just didn't finish it."
Joyce said Friday's contest had plenty in common with last week's three-game stretch in Colby in which the team had to fight back at the end to win close games.
"I don't think it was any different than we played in Kansas," Joyce said. "We just couldn't finish this time."
Joyce said the team's first loss of the season just reasserts what he has been explaining to his players in practice.
"On a positive note, the loss should help guys understand more why we emphasize some things," Joyce said. "We're a young team. Our approach isn't changing. We need to work on limiting errors and more ball movement on offense."
The Cougars will look to bounce back when they meet Garden City today. But Joyce knows it will be another tough battle.
"Garden City is probably the most talented team we've played," Joyce said. "We have to keep them to just one shot on offense, and we have to be able to control the ball while we're on offense."
Both teams will continue tournament play today.
Air Force All-Stars 25 37 - 62
WNCC - Jena Colwell 14, Emma Beddome 12, Cheri Palmer 10, Dana Iverson 8, Shaquilah Davis 6, Carly Glisan 6, SeLina Ysac 3.
WNCC men (5-1) 35 30 - 65
Otero 25 43 - 68
1 comment:
CONGRATULATIONS LADY COUGARS OR SHOULD I SAY NATIONAL CHAMPION LADY COUGARS THAT WAS ONE HECK OF RIDE. THANK YOU FOR THE EXCITING JOURNEY.
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