SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The 25th-ranked Western Nebraska Community College women's basketball team put up a big defensive effort at the end of the game to register a big 67-66 win over Utah State-Eastern in the first day of the Salt Lake Classic Friday in Salt Lake City, Utah.
WNCC and Utah State-Eastern each entered Friday's contest at 6-1. Utah State had a six-game winning streak coming in while the Cougars had a five-game win streak entering the contest. WNCC, who trailed by as much as 16 points at one point, received two free throws by Merle Wiehl to put the Cougars ahead and then the defense shut down the Eagle offense for the win.
WNCC head coach Chad Gibney said this was a big win for his squad.
"At this point in the year it is all about continuing to get better and continuing to grow," Gibney said. "To put ourselves in a position to play a close game was good for us."
WNCC trailed 20-10 after the first period and 37-28 at intermission. It was the second half that really turned it around for the Cougars, shooting over 50 percent compared to an 18 percent first quarter.
Utah State shot the ball well all game. The Eagles shot 35 percent for the game and connected on eight 3-pointers. Utah State was also 20-25 from the charity stripe while the Cougars were just 10 of 16 from the stripe and connected on just three treys.
"They shot the ball really, really well," Gibney said. "They made eight threes and seemed to live at the line for some reason. For us to grind it out, speed them up, and provide just enough pressure to win a game where the other team shot well and we didn't was really important."
WNCC outscored Utah State-Eastern 21-15 in the third period and 18-14 in the fourth quarter. Wiehl put the Cougars on top with two free throws and the WNCC put on the defense in the final 28 seconds to get the win.
"We were up one with 28 seconds," Gibney said. "We sat down and got a great defensive stop. That was good to get that last stand and find a way to get the job done."
WNCC had just three players in double figures. Wiehl led all scorers with 16 points. The freshman from Germany also had five rebounds, three assists, and two blocks. Karli Seay finished with 12 points with three assists and three steals, while Jaleesa Avery had 10 points and five boards.
WNCC received nine points from Anastacia Johnson, while Melisa Kadic finished with eight and Eva Langton had six.
WNCC, 7-1, will be back in action Saturday when they play No. 5 Salt Lake Community College. Gibney said that will be a test.
"Salt Lake is a top five team," he said. "They are going to be really tough. It will be another good challenge for us, which is exactly what we wanted to start the year."
WNCC (7-1) 10 18 21 18 – 67
Utah State-Eastern (6-2) 20 17 15 14 – 66
WNCC
Merle Wiehl 16, Jaleesa Avery 10, Giovanna Silva 4, Melisa Kadic 8, Anastacia Johnson 9, Sophie Agorakis 2, Karli Seay 12, Eva Langton 6.
UTAH STATE-EASTERN
Alyssa Cruley 3, Kaitlin Toluono 8, Rashel Blazzard 2, Madison Loftus 16, Brooklyn Barnus 15, Autumn Kay 6, Harlee Wiltoughby 7, Sidney Springer 4, Abby Butler 2.