WNCC women topple McvCook for 14th win

The Western Nebraska Community College women's basketball team has been superb defensively this season. But Wednesday night, it wasn't just the defense that came up big. The offense also stepped up during the Cougars' 80-36 East Sub-region win over McCook at Cougar Palace.

One of the stars of the game was WNCC freshman Tawny Drexler, who started the second semester on the right note by collecting 11 first-half points along with several rebounds to help ignite her team.

"This game shows that we need to step it up and play to our full potential every game," she said.

McCook wilted WNCC's aggressive defensive pressure, and the Cougars also caused McCook headaches at the other end of the court with good shot selection.

WNCC, which is ranked sixth in the nation in defense, held the Indians without a bucket for the first 6 minutes of the game. Meanwhile, the Cougars heated up offensively. Emma Beddome's early 3-pointer helped the offensive take flight.

The Cougars enjoyed a 51-20 halftime lead, thanks to 46 percent shooting from the field.
Drexler, who netted 11 of her 15 points in the first half, said the Cougars responded well after coming off a four-week holiday break.

"It was a little scrappy. We lost a lot of rebounds, but overall we did OK. We weren't playing up to our full potential," the 6-foot freshman from Golden, Colo., said. "It is a good game to play coming back so we can get used to each other again and get back into the flow."

The Cougars' offense slipped a tad in the second half, registering just 29 points. But the defense continued to shine, holding the Indians to 16 points on 21 percent shooting from the field.

"We really did well the first half in getting shots, but in the second half we didn't do as well," Drexler said. "But eventually I think we will get it to where [WNCC coach Dave Harnish] and the team wants it to be."

WNCC had balanced scoring, with four players hitting double digits. Everyone who suited up reached the scoring column. Cheri Palmer led the way with 16 points, followed by Drexler's 15. Beddome chipped in 12 points, while Jenna Colwell had 11.

McCook, which dressed just seven players, was led in scoring by Kendra Knight with nine points, followed by Shanice Johnson with eight.

The Cougars (14-3) will return to action Friday and Saturday when they travel to face Lamar Community College and Otero Junior College. WNCC will return to Cougar Palace on Jan. 16 to play Casper College.

"I think the games this weekend are going to be tougher because Otero has some big and strong girls," Drexler said. "For the big girls inside, it will be tough. Lamar is another tough one because they run with us."

McCook (4-11) 20 16 - 36
WNCC (14-3) 51 29 - 80
MCCOOK COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Kendra Knight 9, Ashley Foe 7, Heaven Johnson 6, Charlita Champagne 3, Shanice Johnson 8, Ali Brickley 3.
WESTERN NEBRASKA
Cheri Palmer 16, Dana Iverson 1, Emma Beddome 12, SeLina Ysac 4, Shaquilah Davis 2, Alison Cheney 6, Tawny Drexler 15, Jenna Colwell 11, Eli Cosme Gonzalez 1, Chelsea Lyles 9, Carly Glisan 3.