CASPER, Wyo. – The Western Nebraska Community College women's basketball team had a rough day shooting as they suffered a 78-71 loss to Gillette College in the first day of the Region 9 Crossover Classic Thursday in Casper, Wyoming.
WNCC shot 40 percent from the field but were just 8-of-27 from beyond the arc. On top of that, the Cougars committed 29 turnovers and were outscored by Gillette 9-2 in the final minute of the contest.
The loss drops WNCC to 12-4 on the season as they have less than 24 hours for their Friday game in the classic when they face Western Wyoming Community College at 1:30 p.m. Western Wyoming won on Thursday against McCook Community College 79-58.
WNCC trailed 14-12 in the first quarter and then outscored Gillette 12-4 to grab a 24-18 lead on a Lidia Hernandez bucket. Gillette closed out the first quarter with five points, but WNCC led 24-23.
The second quarter saw the Cougars only score six points in the first eight minutes as Gillette build a 36-30 lead. The Cougars cut the deficit to one, 36-35 on an Adelina Urtane bucket and trailed 41-39 on two Urtane free throws. Gillette hit a late trey to lead at half 44-39.
The third quarter saw WNCC trail by 11 points at 57-46 with under three minutes to play. WNCC finished out the quarter, scoring the last 10 points while holding Gillette scoreless as they trailed 57-56 as Hernandez and Laura Montiel each nailed triples.
The fourth quarter was close as WNCC tied the game at 69-69 on a Zozefine Sipolina bucket with 1:30 to play. Gillette came back and scored seven straight points as they hit 5-of-7 free throws to lead 76-69 and held on for the win.
WNCC had four players in double figures, led by Urtane with 17 points followed by Hernandez and Sipolina each with 14. Nataly Dunka tallied 11, while Montiel had nine.
WNCC 24 15 17 15 – 71
Gillette 23 21 13 21 – 78
GILLETTE
Marija Marinkovic 2, Arna Bright 9, Rochelle Afo-Manuma 7, Kenlee Engelhardt 28, Dasani Nesbit 18, Jada Johnson 2, Danae Asiata 2, Abbie Nickell 8, Andrea Martin 2.
WNCC
Helena Kuck 5, Laura Montiel 9, Adelina Urtane 17, Zozefine Sipolina 14, Nataly Dunka 11, Lidia Hernandez 14, Asia Mitchell 1.