WNCC basketball teams go through Colby tournament unbeaten

Submitted by Star-Herald Sports Reporters Jeremy Woznick and Kevin Klamam

COLBY, Kan. - The Western Nebraska Community College men's and women's basketball teams polished off the three-day Ambassador Classic with perfect 3-0 records Sunday in Colby, Kan.

The Cougar men remained undefeated on the season with a 58-57 win over Neosho Community College, while the women registered a 62-52 win over Dodge City Community College.

Sophomore Alison Cheney poured in 26 points to lead the WNCC women. Cheney, a 5-foot-8 guard from Ault, Colo., also pulled down six rebounds to help the Cougars to their third straight win.

"We made a lot of progress from last week, especially on the defensive end," WNCC women's coach Dave Harnish said. "Today we got off to a good start and then it was back and forth in the second half until we made some shots down the stretch to pull away. We found a way to win, which is something we couldn't do last week."

Cheney was joined in double figures by sophomore Emma Beddome, who totaled 11 points. Beddome also grabbed six boards and dished out four assists. Carly Glisan tallied nine points for the Cougars.

Defensively, WNCC was led in steals by SeLina Ysac with four and Shaquilah Davis with three.

Despite moving out to an early lead, the Cougars trailed Dodge City 25-23 at the half.

However, WNCC benefited from a second half that saw the Cougars outscore Dodge City 39-27.

For the game, WNCC shot 37 percent from the field. The Cougars also shot 77 percent from the free-throw line.

In the men's game, it came down to the final second to decide the winner. "We were down by 1 with .3 seconds to go and [Lloyd] Hickinson was fouled on an offensive rebound. He hit both on the 1-and-1 and they missed a last-second 3," WNCC coach Brian Joyce said.

Hickinson led the Cougars with 12 points. He also collected five rebounds. Drew Eisinger added 11 points and Daniel Smith scored 10. Smith also dished out six assists and grabbed two of the team's nine steals. Deivadas Busma pulled in an impressive 19 rebounds, including 12 on defense. Busma also had seven points in the win.

The Cougars trailed 27-24 at half.

Joyce said he hopes the tough road win proves valuable for his young team.

"That was a really good win for us," Joyce said. "It helps them to see that we have to play hard until the final buzzer. It gives our guys confidence that we can do it.

"It was a good first road trip for us. Hopefully we can get back and continue that success."

The Cougars shot just 29 percent from the field, 17 percent from the behind the arc and 50 percent from the free-throw line. WNCC out-rebounded the Panthers 55 to 25.

Both WNCC teams will be back in action at the Air Force Prep tournament, which begins on Friday in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Women's Game
WNCC (4-2) 23 39 - 62
Dodge City 25 27 - 52
Cheri Palmer 2, Dana Iverson 2, Emma Beddome 11, SeLina Ysac 5, Shaquilah Davis 2, Alison Cheney 26, Tawny Drexler 2, Jena Colwell 3, Carly Glisan 9.

Men's Game
WNCC (5-0) 24 34 - 58
Neosho County 27 30 - 57
Lloyd Hickinson 12, Drew Eisinger 11, Daniel Smith 10, Deivadas Busma 7, Chris Hamblin 6, Jamie Eisinger 4, Tearon Hill 4, Kelvin Franklin 3, Doradji Wilson 1