But, while the women enjoyed the thrill scent of victory, the Cougar men found the going much tougher against North Platte Community College. The Knights received a 36-point Karol Gruszecki as North Platte turned back the Cougars 81-60 in a sub-region contest.
Assistant Coach Jennifer Pedersen said it feels good to get back on the winning track.
“I definitely think this game was something we needed,” she said. “We still came out and started a little sluggish, but our starters came out in the second half and played pretty well together. The kids definitely worked a little better and harder than they have the last couple games. “
WNCC zipped out to a 17-10 lead early and went up 35-20 at intermission. A big key to the Cougar’s strong first half was shooting, where they shot 56 percent from the field. Pedersen said that they utilized a different game plan against North Platte in playing a more inside game and it worked.
“We definitely used our posts a lot more then we have in the last three or four games,” she said. “We used our posts a lot in our offense tonight. Thais finished stronger, Khayla finished stronger, and Tiffany made some nice moves on the low block. I think that was the big key was, we can’t rely on all of our outside shooting tonight.”
The Cougar women continued playing strong in the second half, shooting 47 percent from the field. WNCC also out rebounded the Knights 35-30.
Thais Pinto, the Cougars 6-foot-7 post player, had a huge night as she finished with a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Kistler led all scorers with 16 points, including two 3-pointers followed by Yuki Morimoto with 11 points and two 3-pointers.
North Platte was led by Nancy Kirkendoll with 15 points and three 3-pointers. Kimball graduates Jaclyn Christensen and Heather Dickson also had a good night. Dickson finished with six points, while Christensen had three points.
Pedersen said this is a good win to carry over to Saturday when they travel to McCook Community College.
“I think this is a big win heading into tomorrow against McCook because we are at their place and it is hard to play there,” she said. “We have been in a little slump here lately and tonight was good to show the kids that there are some things we need to work on but there are some things that we can do good. Hopefully, we can bring that in tomorrow and carry it over.”
The Cougar men didn’t find the going as sweet as the Cougar women in falling to the Knights. In fact, North Platte took control early, vaulting to a 41-21 lead at intermission. WNCC played much better in the second half, staying with the Knights thanks to 42 percent shooting. But it was enough to overcome the 20-point halftime deficit.
Geoffrey Firmin pace the Cougar men with 18 points, including four 3-pointers. Geddes Robinson chipped in 16 points while pulling down nine rebounds, while Francisco Cruz had 12 points and six rebounds.
The big difference in the game was rebounding, where WNCC was out-rebounded 42-32.
WNCC coach Russ Beck said they didn’t take their time on offense and the Knights made them pay.
“We came out and took way to many quick shots and North Platte made us pay,” he said. “We dug ourselves a hole early and couldn’t dig out. They dominated us on the boards. Plus, we only had two assists for the game; that is evidence in our lack of confidence and our selfishness. We need to share the ball and make teams guard us.”
The WNCC men will have little time to sulk over their play against North Platte as they take on McCook Community College Saturday night in McCook.
“We will see if we can learn from our mistakes and turn it around tomorrow at McCook,” he said. “
Men’s Game
WNCC (13-10) 21 39 – 60
North Platte (19-3) 41 40 – 81
WESTERN NEBRASKA
Geoffrey Firmin 18, O’Rion Hughes 8, Joe Stock 3, Francisco Cruz 12, Brylle Kamen 3, Geddes Robinson 16.
NORTH PLATTE
Joseph Ragland 19, Brenton Brown 10, Chase Grabau 4, Isaac Joyner 4, Karol Gruszecki 36, Kamil Gawzydek 2, Rundel Mauge 6.
Women’s Game
WNCC (17-5) 35 31 – 66
North Platte 20 25 – 45
WESTERN NEBRASKA
Amber Kistler 16, Shelby Campbell 2, Yuki Morimoto 11, Ariane Brown 4, Tiffany Moorer 6, Carolina Alves 6, Madison Keller 2, Thais Pinto 13, Khayla Gladney 6.
NORTH PLATTE
Nancy Kirkendoll 15, Shaylyn Miller 2, Mercedez Martin 3, Ivy Kuroki 8, Heather Dickson 6, Kalieia Alberts 1, Ali Hinrichsen 1, Kelly McClintic 6, Jaclyn Christensen 3.
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