It was Western Nebraska Community College’s final home game of the season and the Cougar women put together a balanced scoring attack in rolling over Otero Junior College 83-58. It was the Cougar’s 25th win of the season and eight straight win.
Well it was the last time the five sophomores will play in front of the home crowd, it was freshman Tawny Drexler that stepped up with a big performance. The 6-foot from Colorado Springs, Colo., finished the game with 22 points and six rebounds. She also was near perfect from the charity stripe going 12-of-13.
“I think we did really well. We had a few more turnovers then we should have, but that happens when you try to run and gun,” she said. “The key for us was playing really good defense. When we were down there we did not play defense very well at all.”
The Cougars domination in the home-finale was evident from the opening tip as Chelsea Lyles made the opening bucket just 25 seconds into the contest. The Cougars kept warming up racing out to an 8-0 lead Jenna Colwell bucket off an assist by sophomore Alison Cheney with 17:45 on the clock.
Otero finally took the goose-egg off the board on a Valma Cook basket with 17:19 to play. The Cougars responded back going on another 7-0 run highlighted by a Drexler old-fashioned 3-point play and steal and bucket by Lyles.
WNCC then heated up from the outside on three 3-pointers by sophomore Carly Glisan and a trey by sophomore Emma Beddome to help the Cougars lead 44-35 at the half.
The Cougars first half was highlighted on 55 percent shooting while Otero managed just 36 percent.
The second half was the same result for the Cougar women as they pushed the lead to 20 points on four points by Drexler at 48-27. The Cougars continued to widen the lead as Cheney scored seven points in a 2-minute period to put salt the game at 55-30 with 15 minutes to play.
Drexler said everyone played well and contributed in some fashion.
“It was a really good team effort. We just killed it on defense,” She said. “We moved the ball really well and that is really good.”
WNCC had three players finish in double figures. After Drexler’s 22 points, Cheney chipped in 13 points and Shaquilah Davis had 12.Beddome and Glisan also found the basket in their home finale finishing with nine points each.
The Cougars also received a huge game from freshman Michelle Lighthall, who finished with six points and six rebounds.
Otero also had three players in double figures. Lacee mapee led the way with 12 points followed by Natasha Anderson with 11 points and Rachelle Tialevea with 10 points.
The Cougars, 25-4, will have one regular season contest left when they travel to Torrington, Wyo., to face Eastern Wyoming College on Wednesday. After that, they will head to the Region IX tournament in Miles City, Mont. WNCC will open the regional tournament on March 1 at 10 a.m. against Western Wyoming. If they win, they will play Sunday, March 2 at 1 p.m. against the Sheridan College and Lamar Community College winner.
Otero 25 33 -- 58
WNCC (25-5) 44 39 -- 83
OTERO JUNIOR COLLEGE
Heather Andersen 4, Michelle Ducy 8, Rachelle Tialavea 4, Lacee Mapee 10, Valma Cook 12, Amber Salaz 3, Natasha Anderson 11, Nicole Howe 6.
WESTERN NEBRASKA
Cheri Palmer 2, Emma Beddome 9, Michelle Lighthall 6, Shaquilah Davis 12, Alison Cheney 13, Tawny Drexler 22, Jenna Colwell 4, Chelsea Lyles 6, Carly Glisan 9.
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