WILLISTON, N.D. - The Western Nebraska Community College women's basketball team opened the season in a big way Thursday afternoon during the first day of the Williston State Tournament.
The Cougars just missed a school record for most points in a game by rolling to a 123-42 win over Salish Kootenai out of Montana. WNCC came just three points shy of tying the school record of 126 points, which was set in 2004 against Johnson & Wales.
Six different Cougars scored in double figures in the season-opening win. Freshman Shaquilah Davis led all scorers in the contest as she poured in 24 points. She also picked up 10 steals, which WNCC coach Dave Harnish believes is a new school record.
In addition to Davis, Dana Iverson scored 16 points while both Alison Cheney and Maggie Murtagh each scored 15. Carly Glisan added 14 points and Eli Cosme-Gonzalez tallied 13.
After leading 57-32 at the half, the Cougars erupted for 66 points in the second half while holding Salish Kootenai to just 10.
"As the game went on, the kids really settled down and played better after a slow start," WNCC assistant coach Jennifer Pedersen said. "We came out and did a lot of nice things in the second half. We executed well and transitioned well."
WNCC finished the game shooting 58 percent from the floor. The Cougars converted 19 of 29 free throws for a clip of 65 percent.
Both Davis and Murtagh knocked down a trio of 3-pointers. In addition to Davis' 10 steals, Iverson and Emma Beddome each totaled five steals. Beddome led the Cougars in assists with five.
WNCC was led on the glass by 6-foot freshman Tawny Drexler, who pulled down eight rebounds. She also scored eight points. Jena Colwell added seven boards and eight points, and Cheney and Michelle Lighthall each pulled down six rebounds. Cheney, a sophomore from Ault, Colo., also dished out four assists in the contest.
WNCC, which earned a No. 9 ranking in the NJCAA's preseason national poll, will be back in action today at 5 p.m. against Williston State. The Cougars will close out the tournament on Saturday at 1 p.m. against Lake Regions State, N.D.
WNCC (1-0) 57 66 - 123
Salish Kootenai (0-1) 32 10 - 42
WNCC
Dana Iverson 16, Michelle Lighthall 5, SeLina Ysac 5, Shaquilah Davis 24, Maggie Murtagh 15, Alison Cheney 15, Tawny Drexler 8, Jena Colwell 8, Eli Cosme-Gonzalez 13, Carly Glisan 14.
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